--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know I had rather be laughed at than…" description: "\"You know I had rather be laughed at than not to be noticed at all…\" — P. T. Barnum" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/p-t-barnum-7389_comedy_you-know-i-had-rather-be-laughed-at-than_2996309.png" --- # You know I had rather be laughed at than not to be noticed… ![“You know I had rather be laughed at than not to be noticed at all…” quote by P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/p-t-barnum-7389_comedy_you-know-i-had-rather-be-laughed-at-than_2996309.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/p-t-barnum-7389_comedy_you-know-i-had-rather-be-laughed-at-than_2996309.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/p-t-barnum-7389_comedy_you-know-i-had-rather-be-laughed-at-than_2996309.png) > “You know I had rather be laughed at than not to be noticed at all…” [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being noticed, even with ridicule, is preferable to being ignored. **In simple terms:** Prefer attention over invisibility. Key Takeaway Seek visibility. Themes attention recognition risk Mood cautionary motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - entertainment - politics - social media - career advancement Key Concepts social psychology personal branding Questions to Reflect On - What risks do you accept for visibility? - How can you manage negative feedback? A Different Perspective Negative attention can harm reputation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [ In the first place, \[his eyes\] never laughed when he laughed. Have you ever noticed this peculiarity some people have? It is either the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-first-place-his-eyes-never-laughed-when-he-laughed-have-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At first, I only laughed at myself. Then I noticed that life itself is amusing. I've been in a generally good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-vos-savant/at-first-i-only-laughed-at-myself-then-i-noticed-that-life-itself-is/) [Marilyn Vos Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-vos-savant/) > [“You know,” he laughed easily, “with all the goddam drinkin’ Ah’ve done, Ah still can’t remember the taste of it unless Ah got the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/you-know-he-laughed-easily-with-all-the-goddam-drinkin-ah-ve-done-ah/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [At first, I only laughed at myself. Then I noticed that life itself is amusing. I've been in a generally good mood ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-vos-savant/at-first-i-only-laughed-at-myself-then-i-noticed-that-life-itself-is-2/) [Marilyn vos Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-vos-savant/) > [As she laughed I was aware of becoming involved in her laughter and being part of it, until her teeth were only accidental stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-she-laughed-i-was-aware-of-becoming-involved-in-her-laughter-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Frank laughed. That couldn’t be good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-castle/frank-laughed-that-couldn-t-be-good/) [Nicole Castle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-castle/) > [And I laughed so hard I think I died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/and-i-laughed-so-hard-i-think-i-died/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [“She fart ... Then (They laughed) ... (She also) ... Then ... She said: "I am hungry”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/she-fart-then-they-laughed-she-also-then-she-said-i-am-hungry/) Deyth Banger > [The hardest I've ever laughed was with Lea Michele.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-groff/the-hardest-i-ve-ever-laughed-was-with-lea-michele/) [Jonathan Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-groff/) > [“she laughed I was aware of becoming involved in her laughter and being part of it, until her teeth were only accidental stars with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-s-eliot/she-laughed-i-was-aware-of-becoming-involved-in-her-laughter-and/) [T. S. Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-s-eliot/) > [Have you dared to eat my son?" I laughed. Actually, it started out as more of a giggle that grew. Because my mind went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/have-you-dared-to-eat-my-son-i-laughed-actually-it-started-out-as/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [“Sorry." he said, rubbing his temples. "Do you have any Tylenol?" "Nope, sorry. Your doctor's appointment is today right?" "Yeah." "Here take this." Jenna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-tiernan/sorry-he-said-rubbing-his-temples-do-you-have-any-tylenol-nope-sorry/) [Cate Tiernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-tiernan/) > [“haven’t, have I? I’ve never heard you yawn, cough, or sneeze. Why is that?” Jed laughed… laughed a low but real belly laugh that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-leigh/haven-t-have-i-i-ve-never-heard-you-yawn-cough-or-sneeze-why-is-that/) [Garrett Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-leigh/) > [“His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/his-own-heart-laughed-and-that-was-quite-enough-for-him/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The Pink Panther wasn't shown to the press for reasons that soon became apparent when I saw it at a public performance. Two people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-french/the-pink-panther-wasn-t-shown-to-the-press-for-reasons-that-soon/) [Philip French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-french/) ## More by P. T. Barnum > [You can fool most of the people most of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/you-can-fool-most-of-the-people-most-of-the-time/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [There is scarcely anything that drags a person down like debt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/there-is-scarcely-anything-that-drags-a-person-down-like-debt/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [Without publicity a terrible thing happens: nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/without-publicity-a-terrible-thing-happens-nothing/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [Politics and government are certainly among the most important of practical human interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/politics-and-government-are-certainly-among-the-most-important-of/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [Money is good for nothing unless you know the value of it by experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/money-is-good-for-nothing-unless-you-know-the-value-of-it-by/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [A lovely nook of forest scenery, or a grand rock, like a beautiful woman, depends for much of its attractiveness upon the attendance sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/a-lovely-nook-of-forest-scenery-or-a-grand-rock-like-a-beautiful/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [Witchcraft is one of the most baseless, absurd, disgusting and silly of all the humbugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/witchcraft-is-one-of-the-most-baseless-absurd-disgusting-and-silly-of/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [I never liked to work, I mean manual work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/i-never-liked-to-work-i-mean-manual-work/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [Literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/literature-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-and-significant-expressions/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [No man ever went broke overestimating the ignorance of the American public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/no-man-ever-went-broke-overestimating-the-ignorance-of-the-american/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [I am a showman by profession... and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/i-am-a-showman-by-profession-and-all-the-gilding-shall-make-nothing/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [The foundation of success in life is good health: that is the substratum fortune; it is also the basis of happiness. A person cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/the-foundation-of-success-in-life-is-good-health-that-is-the/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [I think it is conceded that I generally do pretty big things as a manager, am audacious in my outlays and risks, give much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/i-think-it-is-conceded-that-i-generally-do-pretty-big-things-as-a/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [Men, women, and children who cannot live on gravity alone need something to satisfy their gayer, lighter moods and hours, and he who ministers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/men-women-and-children-who-cannot-live-on-gravity-alone-need/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) > [The bigger the humbug, the better people will like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-t-barnum/the-bigger-the-humbug-the-better-people-will-like-it/) [P. T. Barnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) [Explore all 92 P. T. Barnum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-t-barnum/) ## 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": "You know I had rather be laughed at than not to be noticed at all…", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "P. T. 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