Sense of humour, the most undervalued personality trait

According to the psychologist Edward de Bono, humour is by far the most significant activity of the human brain. It is an intellectual emotion. It springs from the ability to make connection between seemingly unrelated concepts, contexts, situations and people.

Humour is the best antidote to sadness, stress and depression. It is twice blessed: it elevates the mood of the humourist and gladdens the hearts of the listeners.

It is the social glue that binds the society together. Humour can dispel bitterness and hate between people.

Humour can delight as well as hurt. It becomes toxic, when sarcasm oversteps the limits of acceptability. It offends sensibilities when fun becomes malicious slander or vulgarity. Punning ( play on the different meanings of words ) is fraught with rudeness unless words are carefully chosen.