Lin felt that humor had a "chemical effect" that could change the way we think and penetrate to the core of a culture. Moreover, humor could open up new possibilities given the advent of a rationalistic society.
林語堂認為，「幽默」有一種化學作用，可以改變我們的思想，直透文化根底，並且為「合理時代」的來臨開闢了一條道路。