--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Above all things, and at all times…" description: "\"Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in good humor.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg" --- # Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in… ![“Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in good humor.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg) > “Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in good humor.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advises maintaining a lighthearted attitude in all circumstances to foster resilience and social harmony. **In simple terms:** Stay humorous always. Key Takeaway Cultivate good humor daily. Themes humor resilience social harmony Mood optimistic lighthearted Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - team leadership - personal stress management - public speaking Key Concepts psychological coping emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - When does humor help or hurt? - How can you practice humor responsibly? A Different Perspective Humor may be misread in serious contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-things/) [All time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-time/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-humor/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practice Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-good-484411/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [What i value more than all things, good humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/what-i-value-more-than-all-things-good-humor/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“we need practice to get good at what we do. There is one difference in medicine, though: it is people we practice upon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/we-need-practice-to-get-good-at-what-we-do-there-is-one-difference-in/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [Meditation and spiritual practice are good, but also action. It's very important to be clear about who you are, and also about your relation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-barrios/meditation-and-spiritual-practice-are-good-but-also-action-it-s-very/) [Carlos Barrios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-barrios/) > [Good humor is one of the preservatives of our peace and tranquility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/good-humor-is-one-of-the-preservatives-of-our-peace-and-tranquility/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-truth-politeness-is-artificial-good-humor-it-covers-the-natural/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A determination never to do what is wrong, prudence, and good-humor, will go far toward securing to you the estimation of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-determination-never-to-do-what-is-wrong-prudence-and-good-humor/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I believe that with enough practice and good faith, you can learn to recognize when the work is achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-godwin/i-believe-that-with-enough-practice-and-good-faith-you-can-learn-to/) [Gail Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-godwin/) > [Some people get attached to their practice. They get good at it, but even becoming a good meditator can become a hindrance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/some-people-get-attached-to-their-practice-they-get-good-at-it-but/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Even though you have pain in your legs, you can do it. Even though your practice is not good enough, you can do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shunryu-suzuki/even-though-you-have-pain-in-your-legs-you-can-do-it-even-though-your/) [Shunryu Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shunryu-suzuki/) > [Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands before you eat. Be aware of good clean water and food sources.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wright/practice-good-personal-hygiene-wash-your-hands-before-you-eat-be/) [James Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wright/) > [I never have to worry about my form when I get tired because I intentionally practice good movements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-fraser/i-never-have-to-worry-about-my-form-when-i-get-tired-because-i/) [Mat Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-fraser/) > [The discovery of what is true and the practice of that which is good are the two most important aims of philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-discovery-of-what-is-true-and-the-practice-of-that-which-is-good/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [It's easy to practice something that you are good at, and that is what most people do. Wat's tough is to go ot and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rose/it-s-easy-to-practice-something-that-you-are-good-at-and-that-is-what/) [Pete Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rose/) > [“Reading is a practice; good reading is a highly sophisticated practice. The practice has to be learnt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davison/reading-is-a-practice-good-reading-is-a-highly-sophisticated-practice/) [Andrew Davison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davison/) > [I have to work really hard to get the record deal - I have to spend years at it to get good. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-have-to-work-really-hard-to-get-the-record-deal-i-have-to-spend/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More All things quotes > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Moderation, honey, in all things but love and chocolate. That's my motto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bretton/moderation-honey-in-all-things-but-love-and-chocolate-that-s-my-motto/) [Barbara Bretton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bretton/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Time, which wears down and diminishes all things, augments and increases good deeds, because a good turn liberally offered to a reasonable man grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/time-which-wears-down-and-diminishes-all-things-augments-and/) [Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/) > [Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-d-nadauld/standing-as-a-witness-in-all-things-means-being-kind-in-all-things/) [Margaret D. Nadauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-d-nadauld/) > [The eternal principle, which never was born, never will die: it is in all things: it is in you now. You are the wave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-eternal-principle-which-never-was-born-never-will-die-it-is-in/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The U.S. Army has recently removed the cross from the insignia worn by chaplains. In its place is a sun with its rays, symbolizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murray/the-u-s-army-has-recently-removed-the-cross-from-the-insignia-worn-by/) [Chris Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murray/) > [...God does not possess a private knowledge of Himself and a separate knowledge of all the creatures in common. The universal Cause, by knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-dionysius/god-does-not-possess-a-private-knowledge-of-himself-and-a-separate/) [Pope Dionysius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-dionysius/) [Browse all 2,486 All things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in good humor.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practice-yourself-in-good-humor/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "All things" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practice-yourself-in-good-humor/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ade/thomas-jefferson-43_all-things_above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practi_2083387.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in good humor.” — Thomas Jefferson", "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 Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Above all things, and at all...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practice-yourself-in-good-humor/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/above-all-things-and-at-all-times-practice-yourself-in-good-humor/#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 } } ] } ```