proverb · Words worth keeping
Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods.
Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying compares time spent laughing with time spent in divine company. It gives joy a sacred or elevated value.
What the words are saying
The gods image is a figurative valuation rather than evidence of a supernatural encounter or a clinical benefit. A useful interpretation allows welcome enjoyment without prescribing laughter to someone in distress. The phrase need not establish a particular religion or require everyone to experience humour in the same way.
Everyday example
Friends appreciate a shared moment of humour without expecting a person who is distressed to join in.
When to use it
Use it to discuss the elevated value the saying gives to joy.
What it does not mean
No supernatural event, universal emotional response or required belief is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 849; PDF page 119
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.