--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the ability to take a joke, not…" description: "\"It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.\" — Max Eastman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg" --- # It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that… ![“It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.” quote by Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg) > “It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.” [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that true humor is demonstrated by appreciating jokes, not by creating them. **In simple terms:** Humor is shown by laughing at jokes, not telling them. Key Takeaway Value others' humor. Themes humor self-awareness social interaction Mood lighthearted reflective Type observational conversational When to use this quote - social gatherings - team meetings - family dinners - online chats Key Concepts emotional intelligence humor appreciation Questions to Reflect On - Do you laugh at jokes that challenge you? - How do you respond when a joke offends you? A Different Perspective Not everyone can distinguish between humor and offense. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) ## Related quotes > [Even if you're not having a bad day, someone else is...sometimes, just saying a funny joke to them can make them better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naquitta-faith/even-if-you-re-not-having-a-bad-day-someone-else-is-sometimes-just/) [Naquitta Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naquitta-faith/) > [Before you joke someone,make sure he's not in a bad mood.. If so,make sure your joke would not hurt him even more..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachithra/before-you-joke-someone-make-sure-he-s-not-in-a-bad-mood-if-so-make/) [Sachithra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachithra/) > [Gerrard was probably my biggest one. The character he had was world class and then you add on his ability and it's a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-bellingham/gerrard-was-probably-my-biggest-one-the-character-he-had-was-world/) [Jude Bellingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-bellingham/) > [I think my ability to joke and laugh about things is because I'm forced to. I've been through a lot of things in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-van-ness/i-think-my-ability-to-joke-and-laugh-about-things-is-because-i-m/) [Jonathan Van Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-van-ness/) > [I do a lot of public speaking and presentations and I'll always start with a self-deprecating joke to make everybody feel comfortable with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/i-do-a-lot-of-public-speaking-and-presentations-and-i-ll-always-start/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Stop with the democrats don't work joke. You make yourself look like an imbecile. Help me help you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-with-the-democrats-don-t-work-joke-you-make-yourself-look-like/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can crack a joke and make a person smile but it matters a lot when that's on screen. It can be a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jitendra-kumar/you-can-crack-a-joke-and-make-a-person-smile-but-it-matters-a-lot/) [Jitendra Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jitendra-kumar/) > [The joke that I make is that there are instances on the TV series that happen to me, - except on Sex and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/the-joke-that-i-make-is-that-there-are-instances-on-the-tv-series/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“Good Lord, what’s in here? A dead body?” “Ha! Don’t be ridiculous! What an outlandish joke to make! Ha!” Mr. Kent said before shooting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarun-shanker/good-lord-what-s-in-here-a-dead-body-ha-don-t-be-ridiculous-what-an/) [Tarun Shanker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarun-shanker/) > [I just do my act. If people in England don't get my joke I make fun of myself for telling it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burr/i-just-do-my-act-if-people-in-england-don-t-get-my-joke-i-make-fun-of/) [Bill Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burr/) > [There's a joke that I do where I make fun of myself for being bow-legged, and I compare myself to a camel and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anjelah-johnson/there-s-a-joke-that-i-do-where-i-make-fun-of-myself-for-being-bow/) [Anjelah Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anjelah-johnson/) > [The secret to a good marriage, as far as I am concerned, is a joke I make: Keep the fights clean and the sex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-fox/the-secret-to-a-good-marriage-as-far-as-i-am-concerned-is-a-joke-i/) [Michael J. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-fox/) > [The most irritating people are those without a sense of humor, amirite?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-irritating-people-are-those-without-a-sense-of-humor-amirite/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think God has a sense of humor, and the way my lessons come from God is very funny. I have to laugh at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvette-nicole-brown/i-think-god-has-a-sense-of-humor-and-the-way-my-lessons-come-from-god/) [Yvette Nicole Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvette-nicole-brown/) > [I love being my silly ole self! Lifes a lot better when you have a good sense of humor and you smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-being-my-silly-ole-self-lifes-a-lot-better-when-you-have-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Max Eastman > [The defining function of the artist is to cherish consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/the-defining-function-of-the-artist-is-to-cherish-consciousness/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [People who demand neutrality in any situation are usually not neutral but in favor of the status quo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/people-who-demand-neutrality-in-any-situation-are-usually-not-neutral/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [I don't know why it is we are in such a hurry to get up when we fall down. You might think we would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/i-don-t-know-why-it-is-we-are-in-such-a-hurry-to-get-up-when-we-fall/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [There is something self-defeating in the too-conscious pursuit of pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/there-is-something-self-defeating-in-the-too-conscious-pursuit-of/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [If one were loyal to one's nation only because it was good and true ... one would not be loyal to any nation but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/if-one-were-loyal-to-one-s-nation-only-because-it-was-good-and-true/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Laughter is, after speech, the chief thing that holds society together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/laughter-is-after-speech-the-chief-thing-that-holds-society-together/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Humor is the instinct for taking pain playfully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/humor-is-the-instinct-for-taking-pain-playfully/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [A smile is the universal welcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/a-smile-is-the-universal-welcome/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails. What puts man in a higher state of evolution is that he has got his laugh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/dogs-laugh-but-they-laugh-with-their-tails-what-puts-man-in-a-higher/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Classic art was the art of necessity: modern romantic art bears the stamp of caprice and chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/classic-art-was-the-art-of-necessity-modern-romantic-art-bears-the/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [ He \[P.G.Wodehouse\] is I believe, the only man living who speaks with equal fluency the American and English languages. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/he-p-g-wodehouse-is-i-believe-the-only-man-living-who-speaks-with/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Robert Benchley has a style that is weak and lies down frequently to rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/robert-benchley-has-a-style-that-is-weak-and-lies-down-frequently-to/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Laughter puts your brain, your central nervous system and your whole being into a state of free play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/laughter-puts-your-brain-your-central-nervous-system-and-your-whole/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Humor is a kind of emotional chaos told about calmly and quietly in retrospect.There is always a laugh in the utterly familiar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/humor-is-a-kind-of-emotional-chaos-told-about-calmly-and-quietly-in/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) > [Patriotism is one of the unalterable facts of man's nature. It is a virtue if you like it, and a vice if you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/patriotism-is-one-of-the-unalterable-facts-of-man-s-nature-it-is-a/) [Max Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) [Explore all 28 Max Eastman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Max Eastman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-make-one-that-proves-you-have-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-make-one-that-proves-you-have-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c4f/max-eastman-21861_ability_it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-mak_1288361.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.” — Max Eastman", "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": "Max Eastman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-eastman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is the ability to take...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-make-one-that-proves-you-have-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-eastman/it-is-the-ability-to-take-a-joke-not-make-one-that-proves-you-have-a/#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 } } ] } ```