"It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes"

Thomas Aquinas advocates for the importance of integrating light-heartedness, play, and humor into daily life as a counterbalance to the demands placed on the mind by work, study, or the weight of serious contemplation. Far from seeing play or jokes as trivial distractions or signs of frivolity, Aquinas understands them as necessary parts of a healthy, well-rounded life. The mind, like the body, requires periods of rest and refreshment; just as physical exertion is unsustainable without intervals of repose, intellectual or emotional labor benefits from moments of levity.

Periods of relaxation, through playful deeds and jokes, serve to restore one’s mental strength and promote overall well-being. Continuous seriousness can lead to fatigue, rigidity, and even psychological strain. By allowing oneself and others to unwind through humor and recreation, people maintain their ability to focus, create, and solve problems when it is again time to address serious matters. Just as a bow remains useful only if it is unstrung from time to time, so too must the mind be allowed to loosen its tension.

Aquinas’s perspective reflects an awareness of human nature’s complexity. Humans are rational, but also emotional, social beings who thrive on connection and joy alongside discipline and accomplishment. Playful deeds and jokes foster camaraderie, soften social interactions, and reveal different facets of human character. They can diffuse tension, encourage creativity, and develop resilience by fostering laughter in the face of adversity.

Deliberate, periodic relaxation does not undermine virtue or productivity; rather, it sustains them. Aquinas underscores not merely the permissibility but the necessity of playfulness for healthy living. Allowing oneself to embrace humor and play affirms the fullness of human experience, recognizing the need for both effort and ease, gravity and delight, in order to flourish mentally and spiritually.