Laugh at the world's follies or weep over them. You'll regret both.

What it means

The same lecture runs through laughing, weeping, trusting and more. Regret is guaranteed whichever way you go. Since you cannot avoid it, do not let fear of it decide for you.

The source

"Laugh at the world's follies or weep over them. You'll regret both." Kierkegaard said it in Either/Or I, Diapsalmata. Translated from the original Danish by Spartan Surfers.

"Lee ad Verdens Daarskaber, Du vil fortryde det; græd over dem, Du vil ogsaa fortryde det"

Original Danish, Either/Or I, Diapsalmata. Text read at da.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Kierkegaard (1813–1855). Danish thinker who wrote under many pen names about choice, anxiety and faith. Often called the first existentialist.

Questions

What does "Laugh at the world's follies or weep over them. You'll regret both." mean?

The same lecture runs through laughing, weeping, trusting and more. Regret is guaranteed whichever way you go. Since you cannot avoid it, do not let fear of it decide for you.

Who said "Laugh at the world's follies or weep over them. You'll regret both."?

Kierkegaard (1813–1855). Source: Either/Or I, Diapsalmata.

What is the original Danish?

Lee ad Verdens Daarskaber, Du vil fortryde det; græd over dem, Du vil ogsaa fortryde det. Translated from the original Danish by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Laugh at the world's follies or weep over them. You'll regret both." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Laugh at the world's follies or weep over them. You'll regret both." (Kierkegaard, Either/Or I, Diapsalmata, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/laugh-at-the-worlds-follies-or-weep-over