--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The essence of humor is that it should be…" description: "\"The essence of humor is that it should be unexpected, that it should embody an element of surprise, that it should startle us out of that reasonable gr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg" --- # The essence of humor is that it should be unexpected, that… ![“The essence of humor is that it should be unexpected, that it should embody an element of surprise, that it should startle us out of that reasonable gravity which, after all, must be our habitual frame of mind.” quote by Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg) > “The essence of humor is that it should be unexpected, that it should embody an element of surprise, that it should startle us out of that reasonable gravity which, after all, must be our habitual frame of mind.” [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor works by breaking expectations, surprising us and jolting us out of our usual seriousness. **In simple terms:** Humor surprises and disrupts normal thinking. Key Takeaway Embrace surprise to create humor. Themes creativity surprise psychology Mood playful insightful Type comedic observational When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - teaching - marketing - team building Key Concepts unexpectedness cognitive shift social bonding Questions to Reflect On - What surprise will make people laugh without hurting? - How does humor shift perspective? A Different Perspective Humor that is too shocking can offend or alienate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Element of surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/element-of-surprise/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Frame of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frame-of-mind/) [Gravity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gravity/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) ## Related quotes > [The essence of humor is sensibility; warm, tender fellow-feeling with all forms of existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/the-essence-of-humor-is-sensibility-warm-tender-fellow-feeling-with/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [There's a tremendous amount of humor... in very unexpected places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/there-s-a-tremendous-amount-of-humor-in-very-unexpected-places/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) > [Tal's combinations often exert a sort of paralysing influence on the opponent's play. It would seem that the element of surprise plays a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-taimanov/tal-s-combinations-often-exert-a-sort-of-paralysing-influence-on-the/) Mark Taimanov > [If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-in-difficulties-with-a-book-try-the-element-of-surprise/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I do not like being thwarted, but shall I receive good from the God and not also trouble? The voices that say Recover so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-ramsey/i-do-not-like-being-thwarted-but-shall-i-receive-good-from-the-god/) [Russ Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-ramsey/) > [You shouldn't strategize your career if you're in a creative realm. You can't either. I love the unknown. I love the element of surprise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-blunt/you-shouldn-t-strategize-your-career-if-you-re-in-a-creative-realm/) [Emily Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-blunt/) > [The first thing I ever thought of when I thought of Buffy , the movie, was the little...blonde girl who goes into a dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/the-first-thing-i-ever-thought-of-when-i-thought-of-buffy-the-movie/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [The best live recordings capture elements of surprise onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/the-best-live-recordings-capture-elements-of-surprise-onstage/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [Only way to eliminate the element of surprise is to know yourself and now your adversary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/only-way-to-eliminate-the-element-of-surprise-is-to-know-yourself-and/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) > [Because we all know one of the main factors of war is the element of surprise. And what could be more surprising than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/because-we-all-know-one-of-the-main-factors-of-war-is-the-element-of/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [I want to keep looking for roles that have an element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-raj-bhasin/i-want-to-keep-looking-for-roles-that-have-an-element-of-surprise/) [Tahir Raj Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-raj-bhasin/) > [“If you are in difficulties with a book,” suggested H. G. Wells, “try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-keyes/if-you-are-in-difficulties-with-a-book-suggested-h-g-wells-try-the/) [Ralph Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-keyes/) > [That's the hardest thing about doing sequels - you've lost the element of surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/that-s-the-hardest-thing-about-doing-sequels-you-ve-lost-the-element/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [On the sequel, you've lost the element of surprise. Usually, on the first one you may not go very, very deep into character; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/on-the-sequel-you-ve-lost-the-element-of-surprise-usually-on-the/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [This element of surprise or mystery - the detective element as it is sometimes rather emptily called - is of great importance in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/this-element-of-surprise-or-mystery-the-detective-element-as-it-is/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) ## More by Agnes Repplier > [The dog is guided by kindly instinct to the man or woman whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Letter-writing on the part of a busy man or woman is the quintessence of generosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/letter-writing-on-the-part-of-a-busy-man-or-woman-is-the-quintessence/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [To have given pleasure to one human being is a recollection that sweetens life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/to-have-given-pleasure-to-one-human-being-is-a-recollection-that/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Believers in political faith-healing enjoy a supreme immunity from doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/believers-in-political-faith-healing-enjoy-a-supreme-immunity-from/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Philadelphians are every whit as mediocre as their neighbors, but they seldom encourage each other in mediocrity by giving it a more agreeable name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/philadelphians-are-every-whit-as-mediocre-as-their-neighbors-but-they/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [When the milk of human kindness turns sour, it is a singularly unpalatable draught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/when-the-milk-of-human-kindness-turns-sour-it-is-a-singularly/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Conversation in its happiest development is a link, equally exquisite and adequate, between mind and mind, a system by which men approach one another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/conversation-in-its-happiest-development-is-a-link-equally-exquisite/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [What monstrous absurdities and paradoxes have resisted whole batteries of serious arguments, and then crumbled swiftly into dust before the ringing death-knell of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/what-monstrous-absurdities-and-paradoxes-have-resisted-whole/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [the labors of the true critic are more essential to the author, even, than to the reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-labors-of-the-true-critic-are-more-essential-to-the-author-even/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/he-is-your-friend-your-partner-your-defender-your-dog-you-are-his/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us, and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/our-dogs-will-love-and-admire-the-meanest-of-us-and-feed-our-colossal/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Erudition, like a bloodhound, is a charming thing when held firmly in leash, but it is not so attractive when turned loose upon a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/erudition-like-a-bloodhound-is-a-charming-thing-when-held-firmly-in/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [There was no escape from the letter-writer who, a hundred or a hundred and twenty-five years ago, captured a coveted correspondent. It would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/there-was-no-escape-from-the-letter-writer-who-a-hundred-or-a-hundred/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Sleep sweetly in the fields of asphodel, and waken, as of old, to stretch thy languid length, and purr thy soft contentment to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/sleep-sweetly-in-the-fields-of-asphodel-and-waken-as-of-old-to/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [In the stress of modern life, how little room is left for that most comfortable vanity that whispers in our ears that failures are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/in-the-stress-of-modern-life-how-little-room-is-left-for-that-most/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) [Explore all 203 Agnes Repplier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) ## More Comedy quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I wouldn't want people to laugh at me. That's why I have to give all that I can, and at least produce something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/i-wouldn-t-want-people-to-laugh-at-me-that-s-why-i-have-to-give-all/) [Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/) > [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [“Laugh and grow strong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/laugh-and-grow-strong/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [Oh to that corkscrew, the useful tool to unlock the treasure of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/oh-to-that-corkscrew-the-useful-tool-to-unlock-the-treasure-of-wit/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I do love to laugh!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-do-love-to-laugh/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Browse all 19,795 Comedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The essence of humor is that it should be unexpected, that it should embody an element of surprise, that it should startle us out of that reasonable gravity which, after all, must be our habitual frame of mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Agnes Repplier" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-be-unexpected-that-it-should/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comedy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-be-unexpected-that-it-should/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/agnes-repplier-1850_comedy_the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-b_2005594.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The essence of humor is that it should be unexpected, that it should embody an element of surprise, that it…” — Agnes Repplier", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Agnes Repplier", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The essence of humor is that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-be-unexpected-that-it-should/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-essence-of-humor-is-that-it-should-be-unexpected-that-it-should/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```