"If all else fails, the character of a man can be recognized by nothing so surely as by a jest which he takes badly"
- Georg C. Lichtenberg
About this Quote
This quote by Georg C. Lichtenberg recommends that an individual's character can be evaluated by how they react to jokes. If somebody takes a joke terribly, it can be an indication that they are not a great individual. This could be due to the fact that they are too sensitive, or since they are not able to take criticism. It might also be an indication that they are not open to new ideas or point of views. On the other hand, if somebody is able to take a joke in stride, it might be an indication that they are open-minded and have a common sense of humor. This quote suggests that humor can be an useful tool for understanding somebody's character. It is necessary to remember that everybody is various and that not everybody will react to jokes in the exact same method. Nevertheless, if all else stops working, an individual's character can be judged by how they react to a joke.
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