Values Quotes – Elizabeth Bibesco on Hygiene

Todays quote is from Elizabeth Bibesco, an English writer who was active between 1921 and 1940. Her father was British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith.

A brilliant quote from Bibesco is:
“Irony is the hygiene of the mind.”

Most of the time the value of Hygiene is used in reference to the body. Bibesco makes superb reference to the mind.

As a differentiating value, Hygiene means promoting sanitary practices; or cleanliness.

While it’s important to practice proper hygiene to maintain a healthy body, there’s also value in practicing good hygiene of the mind. It helps us reset to reality and recognize that everyone is human.

And as Bibesco suggests, irony is a great cleansing agent.

For example:

• The sign outside a meeting room that states: “The procrastinator’s meeting has been postponed.”
• From the 1964 movie Dr. Strangelove: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the war room.”
• A headline in a local paper stating: “City Council runs out of time to discuss shorter meetings.”

Ok, admit it. You now have a fresh smile on your face.

Of course, not all irony is based on humor. But I do believe it serves as a useful hygiene of the mind. Because to err is human, but to forgive is divine. And cleanliness is next to godliness.

 

Today’s value was selected from the “Devoutness-Purity” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.