The best joke is the one on yourself.

What it means

Laughing at yourself costs no one anything and wins everyone over. It shows you do not take your ego too seriously. Keep a sense of humor about your own flaws.

The source

"The best joke is the one on yourself." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Laughter — Jest — Merriment" («Смех — Шутка — Веселье»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Нет лучше шутки, как над собою."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Laughter — Jest — Merriment" («Смех — Шутка — Веселье»). Text read at ru.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "The best joke is the one on yourself." mean?

Laughing at yourself costs no one anything and wins everyone over. It shows you do not take your ego too seriously. Keep a sense of humor about your own flaws.

Who said "The best joke is the one on yourself."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Laughter — Jest — Merriment" («Смех — Шутка — Веселье»).

What is the original Russian?

Нет лучше шутки, как над собою. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "The best joke is the one on yourself." on a shirt?

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

"The best joke is the one on yourself." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Laughter — Jest — Merriment" («Смех — Шутка — Веселье»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/the-best-joke-is-the-one-on-yourself