“Laughter is the best medicine” is the warm-hearted proverb that says a good laugh can heal what ails you. Here is what it means, its biblical roots, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its faith in good cheer.
What Does “Laughter Is the Best Medicine” Mean?
The proverb means that humour and a cheerful spirit can do more to lift us — in body and mind — than almost anything else. A hearty laugh eases stress, brightens a dark mood, and helps us cope with pain and worry. The saying is used to encourage people to keep their sense of humour through hard times, on the understanding that joy itself has real healing power.
Origin of the Proverb
The idea is rooted in the Bible. Proverbs 17:22 declares, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” From that ancient observation the snappier modern saying — “laughter is the best medicine” — gradually took shape, and it was carried into household use in the twentieth century, not least by the long-running humour column of that name in Reader’s Digest. Modern science has since caught up with the proverb, confirming that laughter really does reduce stress hormones and boost wellbeing.
Examples in a Sentence
- “After a terrible week, a night of comedy was just what we needed — laughter is the best medicine.”
- “She keeps the whole ward smiling; laughter is the best medicine.”
- “We coped with the stress by joking about it, because laughter is the best medicine.”
Similar Proverbs
- A merry heart doeth good like a medicine — the biblical original behind the proverb.
- Laugh and the world laughs with you — good cheer is contagious.
- A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures — an Irish proverb in the same spirit.
- Time heals all wounds — another saying about what truly mends us.
For more uplifting sayings, see our happiness proverbs and health proverbs, or browse the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “laughter is the best medicine” mean?
It means that humour and a cheerful spirit have real healing power — a good laugh can ease stress, lift your mood, and help you cope with pain and worry.
Where does the proverb come from?
It grows from Proverbs 17:22 in the Bible — “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” — and took its modern, snappier form in the twentieth century.
Is laughter really good for you?
Modern research agrees with the proverb: laughter lowers stress hormones, relaxes the body and improves mood, supporting both mental and physical wellbeing.