I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon one another next morning.

Walton distinguishes between joy that deepens friendship and the kind of revelry that corrodes it. “Mirth” is not condemned; instead, it is morally qualified by its aftermath: if laughter leads to shame, broken trust, or a loss of mutual respect, it was not truly good fellowship. The “next morning” test implies accountability beyond the moment—pleasure should be compatible with dignity, memory, and continued community. The line encapsulates a humane ethic of moderation: delight is best when it remains kind, self-governed, and socially sustaining, leaving friends able to meet again without embarrassment or moral hangover.