I've learned to respect the whimsical.

Hear the gentle yet piercing wisdom of Michael Leunig, who once confessed with simplicity and depth: “I’ve learned to respect the whimsical.” At first glance, these words may seem light, playful, even trivial. But beneath their softness lies a profound truth, for they speak of the human need to honor not only the serious, the rational, and the rigid, but also the mysterious, the spontaneous, and the tender sparks of imagination. To respect the whimsical is to bow before the small, surprising, and joyful turns of life, and to see in them not foolishness but hidden wisdom.

The whimsical has often been despised by the serious-minded. In the courts of kings and rulers, jesters were tolerated for laughter, but seldom taken seriously. Yet many a fool in history, clothed in humor, spoke truths that no statesman dared to utter. Leunig reminds us that the whimsical is not the enemy of wisdom, but its companion. For it is often through laughter, surprise, and gentle absurdity that the human heart finds healing, and the mind awakens to new perspectives.

Consider the story of Diogenes, the ancient philosopher of Greece, who wandered the streets with a lantern in daylight, saying he searched for an honest man. To many, his actions were whimsical, even ridiculous. Yet beneath the whimsy lay a piercing critique of society’s hypocrisy. What seemed like jest was in fact a mirror held up to the powerful. In honoring the whimsical, one learns that truth does not always march in solemn robes; sometimes it dances barefoot, laughing in the marketplace.

The origin of Leunig’s reflection lies in his own art and poetry, for he is a cartoonist who has long given voice to the tender, the absurd, and the playful. Through whimsical drawings of ducks, moons, and humble figures, he conveys messages of compassion, peace, and wonder. He teaches that the whimsical can pierce through cynicism where reason fails, for the human soul responds not only to argument but also to play. Thus, by respecting the whimsical, we keep alive the childlike wonder that allows us to see beauty even amidst despair.

And is this not a lesson for our modern world? In times of great conflict and weighty affairs, many scoff at whimsy as distraction. Yet without it, the human spirit dries and hardens. A society without whimsy loses its laughter, its creativity, its lightness of being. The whimsical gives balance to the stern, just as rest gives balance to labor, and joy gives balance to sorrow. To deny it is to deny part of what makes life truly human.

The lesson is this: do not rush always to dismiss what seems foolish or playful. Look for the hidden meaning in the whimsical, for often it softens hardened hearts and opens doors that logic alone cannot unlock. In your own life, honor those moments of play, of humor, of surprise. Let them remind you that life is not only a burden to endure, but a gift to delight in.

And so, let your action be this: embrace whimsy when it appears. Laugh with children, honor the artist, pause to enjoy the unexpected twist of a day. Do not fear appearing foolish, for sometimes foolishness carries the deepest wisdom. As Leunig has shown, in respecting the whimsical, you learn to live with openness, humility, and joy.

Thus remember always the wisdom of Michael Leunig: “I’ve learned to respect the whimsical.” For it is the whimsical that rescues us from despair, restores our humanity, and reminds us that even in the gravest of times, the soul needs not only bread, but also laughter, wonder, and lightness.