Human beings are distinguished from animals by the ability to laugh. In a world which appears to be completely devoid of humor, we enjoy this supreme luxury. In a divided world, laughter is a unifying force. Human beings oppose each other on a great many issues. Nations may disagree about systems of government and human relations may be shadowed by ideological differences, but we all share the ability to laugh. And laughter, in turn, depends on that most complex and subtle of all human qualities: a sense of humor. If happiness is one of the great goals of life, then it is the sense of humor that provides the key.
人与动物的区别在于人拥有笑的能力。尽管世界如此缺乏幽默，人类仍享有这种难得的福气。在这个支离破碎的世界上，笑是一种凝聚力。人们在很多问题上都会有不同的见解：国与国之间因体制不同而分道扬镳，人际关系因观念上的差别而蒙上阴影。然而，所有的人都同样拥有着笑的能力。相应的，笑基于人性中最复杂也最微妙的品质，那就是幽默感。如果说幸福是生活的最大目标，那么幽默感就是达到这一目标最关键的因素。
