proverb · Words worth keeping
A day is lost if one has not laughed.
A day is lost if one has not laughed.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying calls a day without laughter lost. It places a strong value on moments of enjoyment.
What the words are saying
Lost exaggerates the preference rather than measuring the worth of a day. A responsible interpretation can welcome humour without demanding it from someone grieving, unwell or simply not amused. Quiet work, care, rest and difficult experience can still have value even when no laughter occurs.
Everyday example
Someone welcomes a pleasant moment without deciding that an otherwise meaningful quiet day was wasted.
When to use it
Use it to discuss valued enjoyment without imposing an emotional requirement.
What it does not mean
A day without laughter is not proof of failure or lack of value.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 935; PDF page 130
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.