--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes. Laugh. But there’s sense in the old…" description: "\"“Yes. Laugh. But there’s sense in the old rules. They kept people out of trouble.’ He was annoyed because I laughed, and said that a woman in my positi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/doris-lessing-501_habits_yes-laugh-but-there-s-sense-in-the-old-r_523635.png" --- # Yes. Laugh. But there’s sense in the old rules. They kept… ![“Yes. Laugh. But there’s sense in the old rules. They kept people out of trouble.’ He was annoyed because I laughed, and said that a woman in my position needed extra dignity of behaviour. ‘What position?’ - I was suddenly very angry, because of the trapped feeling women get at such moments.” quote by Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/doris-lessing-501_habits_yes-laugh-but-there-s-sense-in-the-old-r_523635.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/doris-lessing-501_habits_yes-laugh-but-there-s-sense-in-the-old-r_523635.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/doris-lessing-501_habits_yes-laugh-but-there-s-sense-in-the-old-r_523635.png) > ““Yes. Laugh. But there’s sense in the old rules. They kept people out of trouble.’ He was annoyed because I laughed, and said that a woman in my position needed extra dignity of behaviour. ‘What position?’ - I was suddenly very angry, because of the trapped feeling women get at such moments.”” [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Old social rules can protect but also restrict; questioning them may provoke anger and reveal deeper gender frustrations. **In simple terms:** Rules protect yet limit; challenging them can cause anger. Key Takeaway Recognize and address restrictive norms. Themes gender social norms anger identity Mood thoughtful empowering Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - workplace - family gatherings - public speaking - personal relationships Key Concepts feminism conformity self‑respect emotional response Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance respect for tradition with personal dignity? - What triggers your anger in similar situations? A Different Perspective Rules may cause resentment if they ignore individual dignity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Angry Trapped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry-trapped-4412894/) [Annoyed Laughed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annoyed-laughed-4412893/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Laugh Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh-sense-1666372/) [Laughed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughed/) [Laughed Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughed-said-757908/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [She taught me to revel. She taught me to wonder. She taught me to laugh. My sense of humor had always measured up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-spinelli/she-taught-me-to-revel-she-taught-me-to-wonder-she-taught-me-to-laugh/) [Jerry Spinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-spinelli/) > [“She fart ... Then (They laughed) ... 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