--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that laughter and death are…" description: "\"I think that laughter and death are closely related: comedy is the quintessential human reaction to the fear of death. It's probably linked with the fa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/maurizio-cattelan-11080_animals_i-think-that-laughter-and-death-are-clos_2362408.jpg" --- # I think that laughter and death are closely related… ![“I think that laughter and death are closely related: comedy is the quintessential human reaction to the fear of death. It's probably linked with the fact that we are the only animals who know we must die.” quote by Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/maurizio-cattelan-11080_animals_i-think-that-laughter-and-death-are-clos_2362408.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/maurizio-cattelan-11080_animals_i-think-that-laughter-and-death-are-clos_2362408.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c18/maurizio-cattelan-11080_animals_i-think-that-laughter-and-death-are-clos_2362408.jpg) > “I think that laughter and death are closely related: comedy is the quintessential human reaction to the fear of death. It's probably linked with the fact that we are the only animals who know we must die.” [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comedy arises from confronting mortality, turning existential dread into shared laughter as a coping mechanism. **In simple terms:** Laughter helps us face death. Key Takeaway Use humor to confront fear. Themes mortality humor human condition coping existentialism Mood reflective ironic thoughtful Type observational philosophical cultural. When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - therapy sessions - grief counseling - team building - creative workshops Key Concepts psychology philosophy social bonding Questions to Reflect On - How does humor change your perception of death? - When does laughter become avoidance? A Different Perspective Humor may mask deeper anxiety and not resolve underlying fear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear of death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-of-death/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) ## Related quotes > [Of all the logical impasses, unknowings, paradoxes, and terrors that provoke laughter, death by its finality and unsolvable mystery is paramount.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hudgins/of-all-the-logical-impasses-unknowings-paradoxes-and-terrors-that/) [Andrew Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hudgins/) > [Well yes I think laughter is joyous, laughter is crucial. I think thats why I love comedy and thats why Im in comedy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-wozniak/well-yes-i-think-laughter-is-joyous-laughter-is-crucial-i-think-thats/) [Mike Wozniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-wozniak/) > [I adore life but I dont fear death. I just prefer to die as late as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-simenon/i-adore-life-but-i-dont-fear-death-i-just-prefer-to-die-as-late-as/) [Georges Simenon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-simenon/) > [Never live life in fear of death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zayn-malik/never-live-life-in-fear-of-death/) [Zayn Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zayn-malik/) > [“I should not have had that fear of death when I wished for it all the same. The unhappiness that I need and long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/i-should-not-have-had-that-fear-of-death-when-i-wished-for-it-all-the/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Fear of death only comes through the brittleness of the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/fear-of-death-only-comes-through-the-brittleness-of-the-ego/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [It is written that the last enemy to be vanquished is death. We should begin early in life to vanquish this enemy by obliterating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-adler/it-is-written-that-the-last-enemy-to-be-vanquished-is-death-we-should/) [Felix Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-adler/) > [“The Fear of Death is far more greater than the Death itself but the fear of the Unknown is the greatest fear of all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-fear-of-death-is-far-more-greater-than-the-death-itself-but-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We must have reasonable fear of death or grave bodily harm when we employ this level of force. Reasonable fear is starkly distinct from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/we-must-have-reasonable-fear-of-death-or-grave-bodily-harm-when-we/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [the fear of death is that you are dying too soon. Nobody wants to, but at the point that you die you can pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/the-fear-of-death-is-that-you-are-dying-too-soon-nobody-wants-to-but/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [Mortality applies to every aspect of life. The fear of death is the driving fear of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-tosches/mortality-applies-to-every-aspect-of-life-the-fear-of-death-is-the/) [Nick Tosches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-tosches/) > [“Life... is a paradise to what we fear of death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/life-is-a-paradise-to-what-we-fear-of-death/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“We were putting into these gomers our fear of death, but who knew if they feared death? Perhaps they welcomed death like a dear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-shem/we-were-putting-into-these-gomers-our-fear-of-death-but-who-knew-if/) [Samuel Shem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-shem/) > [I don't think people ever were free of fear of death, but clinging to life and being so unprepared for it is a modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-butler/i-don-t-think-people-ever-were-free-of-fear-of-death-but-clinging-to/) [Katy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-butler/) > [Firstly, do not fear hardship, and secondly, do not fear death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/firstly-do-not-fear-hardship-and-secondly-do-not-fear-death/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) ## More by Maurizio Cattelan > [I am fascinated by the idea of employing beautiful images as a device to convey something extremely disturbing in an apparently harmless way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-am-fascinated-by-the-idea-of-employing-beautiful-images-as-a-device/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [The market is like a machine that needs to be constantly excited. It needs to constantly produce wealth and more excitement. There are some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/the-market-is-like-a-machine-that-needs-to-be-constantly-excited-it/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Money is a bad friend. Don't ever do anything for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/money-is-a-bad-friend-don-t-ever-do-anything-for-money/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Part of the blame can be put at the artists' door, too - no question. But I see our involvement more as a consequence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/part-of-the-blame-can-be-put-at-the-artists-door-too-no-question-but/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I would describe myself as a tallish, shy, middle-aged man who equally loves his work and his freedom. And a good liar!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-tallish-shy-middle-aged-man-who-equally/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I produce so little that the works have to be editioned. Otherwise, I don't survive. Also, editioning is relevant for communication. If you make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-produce-so-little-that-the-works-have-to-be-editioned-otherwise-i/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [The best art is on the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/the-best-art-is-on-the-street/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Damien Hirst knows how to drive super-fast cars... I love my bicycle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/damien-hirst-knows-how-to-drive-super-fast-cars-i-love-my-bicycle/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [My aim is to be as open and as incomprehensible as possible. There has to be a perfect balance between open and shut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/my-aim-is-to-be-as-open-and-as-incomprehensible-as-possible-there-has/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Work was always necessary to survive. Then I decided the goal should be to survive without working. But now I have much more work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/work-was-always-necessary-to-survive-then-i-decided-the-goal-should/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I'm not saying the 1970s was a golden age - I don't believe such a thing exists in art . . . It would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-m-not-saying-the-1970s-was-a-golden-age-i-don-t-believe-such-a/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [If you are searching to figure out what is true and what is not, you will have a sad life. It means you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/if-you-are-searching-to-figure-out-what-is-true-and-what-is-not-you/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Every morning, we choose between milk or tea or coffee. Usually, I know what I like, but I don't rule out changing my idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/every-morning-we-choose-between-milk-or-tea-or-coffee-usually-i-know/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I like to produce work for specific places, and it is difficult to do repeat shows in the same space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-like-to-produce-work-for-specific-places-and-it-is-difficult-to-do/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [Based on my experience, it's considerably difficult to force a donkey into doing something it perceives to be dangerous for whatever reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/based-on-my-experience-it-s-considerably-difficult-to-force-a-donkey/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) [Explore all 62 Maurizio Cattelan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) ## More Animals quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [“Plenty of animals had pets, but few were more devoted than the mouse, who owned a baby corn snake—“A rescue snake, she’d be quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/plenty-of-animals-had-pets-but-few-were-more-devoted-than-the-mouse/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) [Browse all 6,813 Animals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think that laughter and death are closely related: comedy is the quintessential human reaction to the fear of death. 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