--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Better lose a jest than a friend" description: "\"Better lose a jest than a friend\" — Thomas Fuller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png" --- # Better lose a jest than a friend ![“Better lose a jest than a friend” quote by Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png) > “Better lose a jest than a friend” [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It is wiser to sacrifice a joke than risk losing a friendship. **In simple terms:** Choose friendship over humor. Key Takeaway Prioritize relationships. Themes friendship humor communication Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice proverbial When to use this quote - casual conversations - social media - team meetings - family gatherings Key Concepts social dynamics conflict avoidance Questions to Reflect On - When have you prioritized a friend over a joke? - How can humor strengthen rather than harm relationships? A Different Perspective Humor can be essential for trust; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-lose-565150/) [Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Jest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jest/) [Jest Friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jest-friend-846372/) [Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose/) [Lose Jest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-jest-846371/) ## Related quotes > [“Better to lose a little rest now than a great of deal of it later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-hopson/better-to-lose-a-little-rest-now-than-a-great-of-deal-of-it-later/) [Justin Hopson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-hopson/) > [“It's better to lose than to never have had.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/it-s-better-to-lose-than-to-never-have-had/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Even when you lose, you get better. Sometimes when you lose, you win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-lawler/even-when-you-lose-you-get-better-sometimes-when-you-lose-you-win/) [Robbie Lawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-lawler/) > [Better to lose oneself in action than to wither in despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/better-to-lose-oneself-in-action-than-to-wither-in-despair/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [Better to lose a lover than love a loser...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-lose-a-lover-than-love-a-loser/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are games in which it is better to lose than win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/there-are-games-in-which-it-is-better-to-lose-than-win/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Better lose the anchor than the whole ship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dutch-proverb/better-lose-the-anchor-than-the-whole-ship/) [Dutch Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dutch-proverb/) > [You better lose yourself in the music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/you-better-lose-yourself-in-the-music/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [“Better to lose your husband than waste your life”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-barry/better-to-lose-your-husband-than-waste-your-life/) [Tom Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-barry/) > [It is better to lose health like a spendthrift than to waste it like a miser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/it-is-better-to-lose-health-like-a-spendthrift-than-to-waste-it-like/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Women are liked better when they lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/women-are-liked-better-when-they-lose/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/sometimes-it-is-better-to-lose-and-do-the-right-thing-than-to-win-and/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [It is better to lose your life than to waste it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/it-is-better-to-lose-your-life-than-to-waste-it/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Sometimes its better to lose happy than to win unhappy...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milana-may/sometimes-its-better-to-lose-happy-than-to-win-unhappy/) [Milana May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milana-may/) > [“Better to lose money in a good company rather than making money in a bad one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-kedia/better-to-lose-money-in-a-good-company-rather-than-making-money-in-a/) [Vijay Kedia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-kedia/) ## More by Thomas Fuller > [Poor men's reasons are not heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/poor-men-s-reasons-are-not-heard/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [There is a scarcity of friendship, but not of friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/there-is-a-scarcity-of-friendship-but-not-of-friends/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Govern thy life and thy thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one, and read the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/govern-thy-life-and-thy-thoughts-as-if-the-whole-world-were-to-see/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/he-who-cures-a-disease-may-be-the-skillfullest-but-he-that-prevents/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Old foxes want no tutors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/old-foxes-want-no-tutors/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Slight small injuries, and they will become none at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/slight-small-injuries-and-they-will-become-none-at-all/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [He who gives his heart will not deny his money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/he-who-gives-his-heart-will-not-deny-his-money/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Though bachelors be the strongest stakes, married men are the best binders, in the hedge of the commonwealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/though-bachelors-be-the-strongest-stakes-married-men-are-the-best/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Plain dealing is a jewel, but they that wear it are out of fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/plain-dealing-is-a-jewel-but-they-that-wear-it-are-out-of-fashion/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [We are born crying, live complaining, and die disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/we-are-born-crying-live-complaining-and-die-disappointed/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [He that falls into sin is a man; that grieves at it, is a saint; that boasteth of it, is a devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/he-that-falls-into-sin-is-a-man-that-grieves-at-it-is-a-saint-that/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Vows made in storms are forgotten in calm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/vows-made-in-storms-are-forgotten-in-calm/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Welcome death, quoth the rat, when the trap fell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/welcome-death-quoth-the-rat-when-the-trap-fell/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [A lie has no leg, but a scandal has wings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/a-lie-has-no-leg-but-a-scandal-has-wings/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [Great hopes make great men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/great-hopes-make-great-men/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) [Explore all 195 Thomas Fuller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) ## More Friend quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Friends are like stars you can't always see them, but you know they're there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknwon/friends-are-like-stars-you-can-t-always-see-them-but-you-know-they-re/) [Unknwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unknwon/) > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [“way. A true friend isn't the one that agrees with everything you say or do. A true friend is someone that has your back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shameek-speight/way-a-true-friend-isn-t-the-one-that-agrees-with-everything-you-say/) [Shameek Speight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shameek-speight/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“The real purpose of friendship was to discover and exploit weakness in others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-thompson/the-real-purpose-of-friendship-was-to-discover-and-exploit-weakness/) [Brian Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-thompson/) > [That FRIEND who claim they do anything for you. but yet talk behind your back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kushsoulja/that-friend-who-claim-they-do-anything-for-you-but-yet-talk-behind/) [KushSoulja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kushsoulja/) > [In life, we never lose friends we only get to know who the true ones are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-kid/in-life-we-never-lose-friends-we-only-get-to-know-who-the-true-ones/) [Ace Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-kid/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [Sam dropped me off. When she was too far away to see me, I started to cry again. Because she was my friend again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/sam-dropped-me-off-when-she-was-too-far-away-to-see-me-i-started-to/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [“When you get lost in a really strange place, nothing is more comforting than found your friend whom you trust and can show the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-get-lost-in-a-really-strange-place-nothing-is-more/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [I fell in love with my best friend, but I know that if it doesn't last, it will never be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-yang/i-fell-in-love-with-my-best-friend-but-i-know-that-if-it-doesn-t-last/) [Shelly Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-yang/) > [A best friend isn't someone who's just always there for you.Its someone who understands you a bit more than you understand yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/a-best-friend-isn-t-someone-who-s-just-always-there-for-you-its/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) [Browse all 14,984 Friend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Better lose a jest than a friend", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Fuller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Friend" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/472/thomas-fuller-1956_friend_better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend-2479316_2479316.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Better lose a jest than a friend” — Thomas Fuller", "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": "Thomas Fuller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Better lose a jest than a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/better-lose-a-jest-than-a-friend/#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 } } ] } ```