To Laugh Often and Much
When I graduated from the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) with my undergraduate degree, my great aunt/surrogate grandmother gave me a card with a poem about success. The verse was so powerful to me that I’ve kept that card since. It’s been with me through at least six homes, five states, four offices, and three universities. I couldn’t finish the countdown with two and one, so apologies to any reader who feels the countdown unfinished. Many of you will likely have come across the poem in some way at some point in your life. Here is a modern version of the verse.
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one’s self; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived…
This is to have succeeded.
This poem is popularly attributed to Emerson, but this is inaccurate. The poem was authored by Bessie Anderson Stanley. It was written in response to an essay contest which she won. I am not sure what $250—her first-place award—would be in today’s terms, but the fact that the poem has remained popular into its 120th year, is testament to the power of her words and the beauty of her verse. Apparently the prize winnings allowed her family to pay off their mortgage. The version of the poem above is a modern version, updated to a more modern phrasing and with some words altered to a more modern sensibility. Her original is below.
He achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; Who has left the world better than he found it, Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.
Since my work tends to focus on humor and laughter, I want to direct your attention to the fact, not lost on anyone really, that laughter is mentioned as one of the first things when it comes to success. In both versions, laughter leads the way as an important aspect of success. In the first version shared above, laughter is mentioned twice, so important is it to living a successful life.
What makes this poem interesting, at least to me as someone who looks at laughter and humor, is that the verses don’t simply mention that one should laugh here and there, but rather that one should laugh a lot. We should “…laugh often and much.” This is something important to note because of how often common wisdom implores that when we laugh, we laugh only modestly. Aristotle warns that engaging in too much laughter makes us a buffoon. The Quran records that Muhammed warned us not to laugh too much because “…excessive laughter kills the heart.” Early Buddhist texts also warn of excessive laughter. And of course, we’ve all been warned by our teachers of being too silly in class. Certainly too much laughter has caused troubles the world over.
While the above quotes can present a skewed, anti-laughter, or a sort of gelotophobia, this is likely not their intended or full meaning. Quotes have the benefits and their drawbacks, so take them as I am intending. That there is a strong current in many societies and traditions which suggest that excessive laughter is problematic. I agree. I couldn’t nor would I want to imagine a life solely of laughter. But remember too the power of laughter and humor. They are crucial for a life that one can consider successful and happy. So please, laugh often and much. Sorry I’m a day late. End of semester—or at least that’s the excuse I am going to use.