“The laughter of man is more terrible than his tears, and takes more forms — hollow, heartless, mirthless, maniacal.”
New York Times Magazine (7 December 1958).
Letters and interviews
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
James Thurber 90
American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright 1894–1961Related quotes
“There is nothing more precious than laughter”
Source: The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait
“To say more than this would only cause weeping and laughter.”
As quoted in The Life of Milarepa: A New Translation from the Tibetan (1977) by Tsangnyön Heruka, as translated by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa, p. 12
Context: In my youth I committed black deeds. In maturity I practised innocence. Now, released from both good and evil, I have destroyed the root of karmic action and shall have no reason for action in the future. To say more than this would only cause weeping and laughter. What good would it do to tell you? I am an old man. Leave me in peace.
“An intellectual is a man who takes more words than necessary to tell more than he knows.”
[Baqir Sharīf al-Qurashi, The life of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad, Wonderful Maxims and Arts, 2005]
“More tearful than crying is seeing someone cry.”
Más llanto que llorar es ver llorar.
Voces (1943)