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Wrinkle not thy face with too much laughter, lest thou…

“Wrinkle not thy face with too much laughter, lest thou become ridiculous; neither wanton thy heart with too much mirth, lest thou become vain: the suburbs of folly is vain mirth, and profuseness of laughter is the city of fools.” quote by Francis Quarles
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“Wrinkle not thy face with too much laughter, lest thou become ridiculous; neither wanton thy heart with too much mirth, lest thou become vain: the suburbs of folly is vain mirth, and profuseness of laughter is the city of fools.”

Francis Quarles

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Excessive laughter and mirth lead to ridicule and vanity, while restraint preserves dignity.

In simple terms: Too much joy can make you look foolish.

Key Takeaway

Balance humor with moderation.

Themes

humor vanity selfcontrol

Mood

reflective cautionary

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • social gatherings
  • public speaking
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

Moral philosophy social perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you gauge appropriate humor?
  • When does mirth become vanity?
A Different Perspective

Excess can be misinterpreted as lack of seriousness.

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