---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Has the gift of laughter been withdrawn…"
description: "\"Has the gift of laughter been withdrawn from me? I protest that I do still, at the age of forty-seven, laugh often and loud and long. But not, I believ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/max-beerbohm-4658_age_has-the-gift-of-laughter-been-withdrawn_781251.png"
---

#  Has the gift of laughter been withdrawn from me? I protest…

![“Has the gift of laughter been withdrawn from me? I protest that I do still, at the age of forty-seven, laugh often and loud and long. But not, I believe, so long and loud and often as in my less smiling youth. And I am proud, nowadays, of laughing, and grateful to any one who makes me laugh. That…” quote by Max Beerbohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/max-beerbohm-4658_age_has-the-gift-of-laughter-been-withdrawn_781251.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/max-beerbohm-4658_age_has-the-gift-of-laughter-been-withdrawn_781251.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/max-beerbohm-4658_age_has-the-gift-of-laughter-been-withdrawn_781251.png)

> “Has the gift of laughter been withdrawn from me? I protest that I do still, at the age of forty-seven, laugh often and loud and long. But not, I believe, so long and loud and often as in my less smiling youth. And I am proud, nowadays, of laughing, and grateful to any one who makes me laugh. That is a bad sign. I no longer take laughter as a matter of course.”

[Max Beerbohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beerbohm/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A reflection on aging and the changing nature of joy, noting that laughter feels less automatic and more treasured.

**In simple terms:** Aging changes how we experience joy.

Key Takeaway

Cherish moments that bring laughter.

Themes

aging joy gratitude

Mood

reflective bittersweet

Type

personal philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- social gatherings
- mental health
- self‑care

Key Concepts

psychology human experience

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you cultivate laughter now?
- What does laughter mean to you as you age?

A Different Perspective

Laughter may be harder to find without intentional effort.

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