The Olympian vice.--In defiance of that philosopher who as…
““The Olympian vice.--In defiance of that philosopher who as true Englishman tried to give any thinking person's laughter a bad reputation ('Laughter is a nasty infirmity of human nature that any thinking person will endeavour to overcome'---Hobbes), I would actually go as far as to rank philosophers according to the level of their laughter---right up to the ones who are capable of golden laughter. And assuming that gods, too, are able to philosophize, as various of my conclusions force me to believe, then I do not doubt when they do so, they know how to laugh in a new and superhuman fashion---and at the expense of everything serious! Gods like to jeer: it seems that even at religious observances they cannot keep from laughing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Philosophers differ in their capacity for laughter, with some achieving a transcendent, divine humor that undermines seriousness.
In simple terms: Philosophers vary in their ability to laugh, some reaching divine humor.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humor as a tool to challenge seriousness.
Themes
philosophy
humor
divine
human nature
seriousness
Mood
ironic
playful
thought‑provoking
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal introspection
- artistic creation
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
laughter
transcendence
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Can humor reveal deeper truths?
- When does laughter become disrespectful?
A Different Perspective
Humor can be dismissed as frivolous, limiting its transformative potential.