quid enim mihi aufert qui ridet? Satyricon 61.4

Latin Learning Latin
1

narrabo tamen; quid enim mihi aufert qui ridet?

This is from Petronius’ Satyricon chapter 61.4. I’m struggling to translate the bit in bold, specifically ‘aufert’ - I’m not sure if my translation ‘for what does he, who laughs, take away from me?’ is correct? Could ‘harm’ be another way to translate aufert? (ie ‘what harm does he, who laughs, do to me?’)

2

You’ve got it right: “I’ll tell you, because what from me takes away the one who laughs?” (besides satius est rideri quam derideri.)

3

Thanks!