Antony the Great c. 251 to 356 · The Egyptian desert Antony agrees.
On record in Sayings of the Desert Fathers, as the desert monks remembered it.
What did the early Christians say about laughter?
They did not agree. Antony the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and Augustine of Hippo would say yes to the statement below. Basil the Great, Ambrose of Milan and 6 others would say no.
- 11On record
- 3Would agree
- 8Would disagree
The statement in the quiz
“A good hearty laugh is good for the soul.”
The quiz puts it in today’s words. Each person below is placed by what they wrote or said. Where their line is clear on its own, it is printed with its source.
You said:
From your result on . See your result
3 early Christians
Would agree
Your side
Antony the Great c. 251 to 356 · The Egyptian desert 
Gregory of Nazianzus c. 329 to c. 390 · Cappadocia and Constantinople Gregory of Nazianzus agrees:
“Who was more kindly in his stories, more refined in his wit, more tender in his rebukes?”
Funeral Oration on Basil the Great
Augustine of Hippo 354 to 430 · North Africa Augustine agrees.
On record in On the Catechising of the Uninstructed.
8 early Christians
Would disagree
Your side
Martin of Tours c. 316 to 397 · Gaul, today's France Martin disagrees:
“No one ever saw him enraged, or excited, or lamenting, or laughing.”
Life of St Martin, as Sulpicius Severus, who knew him, recorded it
Basil the Great c. 330 to 379 · Caesarea in Cappadocia Basil strongly disagrees:
“Since the Lord condemns those that laugh it is obvious that there is never a time of laughter for the believer.”
The Shorter Rules
Ambrose of Milan c. 339 to 397 · Milan Ambrose strongly disagrees:
“Do we seek for something to laugh at, that laughing here we may weep hereafter?”
On the Duties of the Clergy
John Chrysostom c. 347 to 407 · Antioch and Constantinople Chrysostom strongly disagrees:
“For this is not the theatre for laughter, neither did we come together for this intent, that we may give way to immoderate mirth, but that we may groan, and by this groaning inherit a kingdom.”
Homilies on Matthew
Jerome c. 347 to 420 · Rome and Bethlehem Jerome disagrees:
“Leave to worldlings the privileges of laughing and being laughed at. One who is in your position ought to be serious.”
Letter to Demetrias
Benedict of Nursia c. 480 to c. 547 · Subiaco and Monte Cassino Benedict strongly disagrees:
“But as for buffoonery or idle words, such as move to laughter, we utterly condemn them in every place, nor do we allow the disciple to open his mouth in such discourse.”
Rule of St Benedict
Gregory the Great c. 540 to 604 · Rome Gregory the Great disagrees:
“From gluttony are propagated foolish mirth, scurrility, uncleanness, babbling, dulness of sense in understanding.”
Morals on the Book of Job
Isaac the Syrian 7th century · Nineveh and the mountains Isaac disagrees:
“Be not friends with one that loves laughter and derision.”
Ascetical Homilies
What they said
More questions
- Saying less “Most of the time, it's better to say less.”
- Learning from outsiders “Wisdom is worth learning from anyone, even people who don't share your faith.”
- Anger “Anger at real wrongdoing can be a good thing.”
- Solitude “If you had to choose, you'd grow closer to God alone in quiet than among other people.”
your turn
Quiz Which early Christian thinks like you? And which would argue with you? See where you would stand on this and 22 more. Start Suggest a correction. Corrections that are applied are recorded in the public changelog.