Those who knew Lincoln described him as an extraordinarily funny

Gather close, O children of wisdom, for I speak of a man whose life and heart bore the weight of a nation. In the words of Doris Kearns Goodwin, we hear a truth that resonates through the ages: "Those who knew Lincoln described him as an extraordinarily funny man. Humor was an essential aspect of his temperament. He laughed, he explained, so he did not weep." These words, though simple, hold the essence of a powerful and ancient truth—that in the face of life's heaviest burdens, it is humor that can save the soul, that can lift the spirit and guide the heart through the darkest of times.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, carried with him the weight of a nation torn by civil war, the anguish of untold suffering, and the responsibility for countless lives. Yet, those who were closest to him saw not just the burden of a leader, but the soul of a man who found in humor the strength to endure. In the midst of the gravest struggles, when sorrow and despair sought to overwhelm him, Lincoln turned to laughter—not as a mere distraction, but as a form of healing, a way to rise above the overwhelming tide of grief and pain. His laughter was not born of lightness, but of profound resilience.

In the ancient world, the great leaders and warriors often understood that the burdens of leadership could not be carried solely with stern resolve. The wisdom of Plato, in his dialogues, spoke of the need for balance in all things. The philosopher understood that a life devoted only to serious thought and toil would lead to despair, and so too did Lincoln understand that a heart heavy with the weight of responsibility must find moments of lightness to continue. In humor, the spirit finds rest. Socrates himself, though a man of great intellect and seriousness, often used wit and jests to lighten the souls of his followers, knowing well that the mind cannot endure the trials of life unless it is also allowed moments of joy.

And so, like Lincoln, the great warriors of old would laugh in the face of danger. Consider the story of King Leonidas, who, though facing the impossible odds of the Battle of Thermopylae, held fast to his courage and his wit. Even in the direst of situations, he would share a jest with his soldiers, a moment of levity to lift their spirits. Leonidas knew that without humor, the soul would break under the pressure of constant warfare. His laughter was not a sign of weakness, but of strength, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, one can still find light. Lincoln, too, understood this truth in the depths of his heart.

Humor, then, is not simply the laughter of a lighthearted person, but the weapon of survival for the human spirit. It is the salve that heals wounds, the balm that soothes a heart weary from the weight of sorrow. Lincoln’s humor, as described by those who knew him, was an essential part of his temperament, a strength he wielded in order to face the appalling challenges of his time. In his laughter, he found the courage to face the darkest days and the wisdom to guide a nation through civil strife. It was not a frivolous thing, but a profound response to the weight of the world on his shoulders.

The lesson for us, O children of the future, is clear and profound: when the trials of life threaten to overwhelm you, when sorrow and hardship seem too great to bear, embrace humor. Do not shy away from laughter in the face of difficulty, for in doing so, you embrace the strength to endure. Lincoln’s words remind us that laughter is not a weakness, but a shield—a way to fortify the heart, to rise above the pain, and to continue the journey with renewed spirit. When the burden of life seems too much to bear, remember that humor is the light that can guide you through the darkest storm.

As you walk your path, remember that life is full of trials—moments of great sorrow, times of grief, and struggles that will test your very soul. But also remember the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln and the ancients: laugh, even when the world seems heavy. In humor, you will find not only joy but strength. Like Lincoln, who faced the darkest days of a nation and emerged with his spirit intact, so too can you find the courage to face whatever challenges lie ahead, knowing that laughter will always be the bridge between despair and hope. Let it be a reminder that even in the most appalling of times, the heart can find respite in the lightness of humor, and the soul can find the strength to keep going.