"The man who sets himself to make his fellows laugh does far less for them than he who makes them weep.

If you will but think, you will admit that what I say is true.

It is through tears our fathers teach self-control unto their sons, and our tutors sound learning to their scholars, and the laws themselves lead the grown man to righteousness by putting him to sit in the place of penitence.

But your mirth-makers, can you say they benefit the body or edify the soul?
Can smiles make a man a better master or a better citizen?
Can he learn economy or statesmanship from a grin ?" [15] But Hystaspas answered back: "Take my advice, Aglaitadas, pluck up heart and spend this precious gift of yours on your enemies: make them sit in the seat of the sorrowful, and fling away on us, your friends, that vile and worthless laughter.
You must have an ample store of it in reserve: it cannot be said you have squandered it on yourself, or ever wasted a smile on friend or foreigner if you could help it.

So you have no excuse to be niggardly now, and cannot refuse us a smile." "I see," said Aglaitadas, "you are trying to get a laugh out of me, are you not ?" But the brigadier interposed, "Then he is a fool for his pains, my friend: one might strike fire out of you, perhaps, but not a laugh, not a laugh." [16] At this sally all the others shouted with glee, and even Aglaitadas could not help himself: he smiled.
And Cyrus, seeing the sombre face light up said: "Brigadier, you are very wrong to corrupt so virtuous a man, luring him to laughter, and that too when he is the sworn foe of gaiety." So they talked and jested.