# Is “Laughter is the best medicine” in the Bible?

> No. “Laughter is the best medicine” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/laughter-is-the-best-medicine
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

The nearest verse is Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Not in the Bible. Origin uncertain.

## What the Bible says instead

> A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
>
> — [Proverbs 17:22](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/17#22) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Laughter is the best medicine” in the Bible?

No. “Laughter is the best medicine” is not in the Bible. The nearest verse is Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Proverbs 17:22. The nearest verse is Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

## More

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- [Is “Love covers a multitude of sins” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/love-covers-a-multitude-of-sins.md)
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- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)