Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.
[Le rire, c’est le soleil; il chasse l’hiver du visage humain.]
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French writer
Les Misérables, Part 2 “Cosette,” Book 8 “Cemeteries Take What Is Given Them,” ch. 9 (2.8.9) (1862) [tr. Wilbour (1862)]
(Source)
(Source (French)). Alternate translations:For laughter is the sun which drives winter from the human face.
[tr. Wraxall (1862)]A smile is the same as sunshine; it banishes winter from the human countenance.
[tr. Hapgood (1887)]Laughter is a sun that drives out winter from the human face.
[tr. Denny (1976)]Laughter is sunshine; it chases winter from the human face.
[tr. Wilbour/Fahnestock/MacAfee (1987)]Laughter is sunshine. It banishes winter from the human countenance.
[tr. Donougher (2013)]