--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Things can be funny only when we are in…" description: "\"Things can be funny only when we are in fun. When we're 'dead earnest,' humor is the only thing that is dead.\" — Flip Wilson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/flip-wilson-16193_comedy_things-can-be-funny-only-when-we-are-in_3024787.png" --- # Things can be funny only when we are in fun. When we're… ![“Things can be funny only when we are in fun. When we're 'dead earnest,' humor is the only thing that is dead.” quote by Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/flip-wilson-16193_comedy_things-can-be-funny-only-when-we-are-in_3024787.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/flip-wilson-16193_comedy_things-can-be-funny-only-when-we-are-in_3024787.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3a/flip-wilson-16193_comedy_things-can-be-funny-only-when-we-are-in_3024787.png) > “Things can be funny only when we are in fun. When we're 'dead earnest,' humor is the only thing that is dead.” [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor thrives only when we are relaxed; seriousness kills laughter. **In simple terms:** Fun requires a playful mindset. Key Takeaway Stay light‑hearted to enjoy humor. Themes humor playfulness seriousness mindset Mood light hearted reflective Type comedic observational When to use this quote - workplace - social gatherings - media consumption Key Concepts psychology entertainment social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is seriousness appropriate? - How can we balance fun and focus? A Different Perspective Excessive levity can undermine seriousness when needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Dead Earnest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-earnest-4913781/) [Earnest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earnest/) [Earnest Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earnest-humor-4913780/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Humor Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor-thing-477031/) [Things Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-funny/) ## Related quotes > [“This brings up yet another, far more important misconception: that being comically generative and having a sense of humor are one and the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rakoff/this-brings-up-yet-another-far-more-important-misconception-that/) [David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rakoff/) > [Humor is a serious thing. I like to think of it as one of our greatest earliest natural resources, which must be preserved at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/humor-is-a-serious-thing-i-like-to-think-of-it-as-one-of-our-greatest/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [A sense of humor is the one thing no one will admit to not having.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-sense-of-humor-is-the-one-thing-no-one-will-admit-to-not-having/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“I'll be sure not to let anyone but you carry me in her arms." He turns and leaves the kitchen before I can figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ee/i-ll-be-sure-not-to-let-anyone-but-you-carry-me-in-her-arms-he-turns/) [Susan Ee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ee/) > [“A dirty and mean sense of humor first thing in the morning. I may learn to like you yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorelei-james/a-dirty-and-mean-sense-of-humor-first-thing-in-the-morning-i-may/) [Lorelei James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorelei-james/) > [Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/common-sense-and-a-sense-of-humor-are-the-same-thing-moving-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think humor is a very serious thing. I use it as a way of weakening the reader's defenses so that I can more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-collins/i-think-humor-is-a-very-serious-thing-i-use-it-as-a-way-of-weakening/) [William Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-collins/) > [Humor is the only thing that allows you to survive every pressure and crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinton-cerf/humor-is-the-only-thing-that-allows-you-to-survive-every-pressure-and/) [Vinton Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinton-cerf/) > [A comedian does funny things. A good comedian does things funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buster-keaton/a-comedian-does-funny-things-a-good-comedian-does-things-funny/) [Buster Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buster-keaton/) > [Business, like life, is funny. We all go through difficult times, and we all have to face curve balls and challenges, each and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-apteker/business-like-life-is-funny-we-all-go-through-difficult-times-and-we/) [Ronnie Apteker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-apteker/) > [The thing I most hate about the Left is that they want to stop us laughing - to prescribe which jokes are OK and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/the-thing-i-most-hate-about-the-left-is-that-they-want-to-stop-us/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [I enjoy doing comedy that is why I pursue it. I believe that life is hard enough already and full of drama so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-wayans/i-enjoy-doing-comedy-that-is-why-i-pursue-it-i-believe-that-life-is/) [Kim Wayans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-wayans/) > [Thing is, I'm a funny actor, but I'm not good at being funny. I'm going to ramble for a second: I'm an actor who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lillard/thing-is-i-m-a-funny-actor-but-i-m-not-good-at-being-funny-i-m-going/) [Matthew Lillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lillard/) > [My wife is way funnier than I am. As much as I don't really feel I share a sense of humour with my family,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/my-wife-is-way-funnier-than-i-am-as-much-as-i-don-t-really-feel-i/) [Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/) > [I think what is important for things to be funny is if you the listener, or the reader, get a chance to supply the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-frazier/i-think-what-is-important-for-things-to-be-funny-is-if-you-the/) [Ian Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-frazier/) ## More by Flip Wilson > [Funny is not a color. Being black is only good from the time you get from the curtain to the microphone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/funny-is-not-a-color-being-black-is-only-good-from-the-time-you-get/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [It would be ridiculous for me to say anything negative regarding blacks having an equal opportunity on TV.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/it-would-be-ridiculous-for-me-to-say-anything-negative-regarding/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [If I could marry my motorcycle, I'd roll her right up to the altar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/if-i-could-marry-my-motorcycle-i-d-roll-her-right-up-to-the-altar/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [After having seen the job done on that first show of mine, I realized that I felt like I wanted to work again for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/after-having-seen-the-job-done-on-that-first-show-of-mine-i-realized/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [My happiest memory of childhood was my first birthday in reform school. This teacher took an interest in me. In fact, he gave me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/my-happiest-memory-of-childhood-was-my-first-birthday-in-reform/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [Before you can hit the jackpot, you have to put a coin in the machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/before-you-can-hit-the-jackpot-you-have-to-put-a-coin-in-the-machine/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [The cost of living is going up and the chance of living is going down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/the-cost-of-living-is-going-up-and-the-chance-of-living-is-going-down/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [I have the bug again. I'm expecting the response to seeing the show again on Nick to be very good, and this will set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/i-have-the-bug-again-i-m-expecting-the-response-to-seeing-the-show/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [My main point is to be funny; if I can slip a message in there, fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/my-main-point-is-to-be-funny-if-i-can-slip-a-message-in-there-fine/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [The cost of living's going up, and the chance of living's going down!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/the-cost-of-living-s-going-up-and-the-chance-of-living-s-going-down/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [Most drag impersonations are a drag. But women can like Geraldine, men can like Geraldine, everyone can like Geraldine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/most-drag-impersonations-are-a-drag-but-women-can-like-geraldine-men/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [Wait till I tell Killer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/wait-till-i-tell-killer/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [When you're hot, you're hot; when you're not, you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/when-you-re-hot-you-re-hot-when-you-re-not-you-re-not/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [Violence is a tool of the ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/violence-is-a-tool-of-the-ignorant/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) > [Everyone in this house and the houses next door knows when I'm in the sauna because I start singing, and I sing the blues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flip-wilson/everyone-in-this-house-and-the-houses-next-door-knows-when-i-m-in-the/) [Flip Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) [Explore all 40 Flip Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flip-wilson/) ## 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": "Things can be funny only when we are in fun. 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