Famous quotes
Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,269 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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Laughter
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“Laughter is a basic human need, along with love, and food, and an HBO subscription.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Crawling on your knees through the desert sand. Your dress is torn and blood on your hand. The Southern Cross, a giant tower of light. Your silhouette, your laughter - then your bite! I feel real.”
“We are in danger of forgetting that God is not only a comfort but a joy. He is the source of all pleasures; he is fun and laughter, and we are meant to enjoy him.”
Joy Davidman (1915–1960) said by 1960 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's called free speech. I realise that the new woke world is low on laughter and high on offence, but it's still worth trying to find the lighter moments in this joyless new cancel culture which has been created for us.”
Laurence Fox (born 1978) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comments on X/Twitter (27 September 2023), as cited in "Laurence Fox suspended by GB News over 'unacceptable' comments toward female journalist on air", ITV News (27 September 2023).
“This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves so while once we asked, "How could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? " Now we assert, "How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?”
Amanda Gorman (born 1998) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was shocked by the response to my adaptation of Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers, about a 50yish man who resolves to have flings with women. The audience roared with laughter but after the show, several people whose opinion I counted on, said, ‘This was not expected of you Sai. How can you bring up the topic of adulterous affairs?’”
Sai Paranjpye (born 1938) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mumbai Mirror article by Khalid Mohamed - Sai Paranjpye: I have had my #MeToo moments too - 30 October 2018 - Archive
“That, in the midst of our daily struggle from birth to death, mankind should ever have conceived such things as laughter or beauty or goodness appears to me a far more marvellous thing than the finest supernatural miracle ever invented by all the mythologies.”
Henry Nevinson (1856–1941) said by 1941 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Essays, Poems and Tales of H. W. Nevinson, edited by H. N. Brailsford. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1948. Also quoted in Viscount Samuel, "Viscount Samuel's Book of Quotations", James Barrie, London, 1954.
“Laughter keeps everyone feeling wonderful.”
Betty White (1922–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Many people reside in us. Many past lives, many future lives. If you listen carefully the air is full of laughter. Human beings are a great mystery.”
“Jews have received their tempering from an unflinching realism learned for a high fee in the school of life; they have always felt the need of fortifying their spirits with the armor of laughter against the barbs of the world.”
Nathan Ausubel (1898–1986) said by 1986 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Their cruelty made them feel good, it made them feel proud, it made them feel happy. And it made them feel closer to one another…Their shared laughter at the suffering of others is an adhesive that binds them to one another, and to Trump. (p 101)”
Adam Serwer (born 1982) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We could have put up at a monastery, one of his guard had complained; but no girls in a monastery, I suppose. He had turned in the saddle: “You really think that?” Knowing laughter from the men.”
Hilary Mantel (1952–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'd like to be remembered as somebody who entertained — who took one out of oneself — for a few minutes, a few hours — transported you into a different venue — gave you relief, gave you entertainment, and gave you joy and laughter, and tears — all those things. I would like to be remembered as somebody who was — capable of doing that.”
Angela Lansbury (1925–2022) first seen 1998 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Television Academy Interview (15 September 1998)
“To the Kareendis of modern Kenya, isn't each day exactly the same as all the others? For the day on which they are born is the very day on which every part of their body is buried except one—they are left with a single organ. So when will the Kareendis of modern Kenya wipe the tears from their faces? When will they ever discover laughter?”
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (1938–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let’s face it, a lot of people don’t wish you well. Some people want to feel that they have control over your private life. This is the aspect I don’t want. I’d rather not say anything about it. However, a lot of my colleagues have been flashing us with their weddings (laughter), maybe my own will come as a surprise.”
Belinda Effah (born 1989) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now there is — we're not taping this, are we? [laughter] — there is a political party that begins with an R that offered me a lot of money to join them. I say a lot of money, I mean a lot of money. ... And I wouldn't join them, OK, because we've a got by-election in Mid-Beds next week. Reform have got a candidate.”
Lee Anderson (born 1967) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In an event at Cambridge Rugby Club organised by the South Cambridgeshire Conservative Association (October 2023), as cited in "Lee Anderson: I was offered ‘a lot of money’ to join Reform UK", The Sunday Times (26 Novem…
“Just a song we shared, I'll hear brings memories back, when you were here of your smile, your easy laughter, of your kiss. Those moments after. I think of you and think of you and think of you.”
Sixto Rodriguez (1942–2023) said by 2023 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Education has brought luxury to every home, and filled empty bellies with food. But what about me? What has your education earned me except laughter and scorn...I will not leave here before you tell me exactly when you are coming home to lay the foundation of your house.”
Grace Emily Akinyi Ogot (1930–2015) said by 2015 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would love for anyone who is on their parenting journey...maybe consider that the world has been optimized for brains that conform to societal norms but there are other brains that have helped us move forward in creativity, in laughter, in joy and there's a place for them.”
Patricia Kihoro (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“there's singing in the mountains, laughter in the trees, dancing in the light of evening fires. There's whispering in hearts and minds and shadows. That's enough for me. (chapter 31 p238)”
Patricia Grace (born 1937) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This was the happiest laughter that was ever heard on the hill.”
Kadia Molodowsky (1894–1975) said by 1975 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“His laughter is meant to hide the greed that has begun to glint in his eyes. ("A Fur Salesman")”
Fradl Shtok (1887–1990) said by 1990 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you think about human beings, [laughter] people have been people for almost a million years, and what we understand as art and art history is only a fleeting moment in that story.”
Cecilia Vicuña (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What more can you expect from him? It is established that the BJP is against women. When I laughed, it hurt because it was the laughter of truth.”
Renuka Chowdhury (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I played the role of a defendant in the series "I was joking". Mr. Modiri stressed that the role of Behrouz Eshghi in the series should be close to this role, but besides it, other special things should be added to the character. For this reason, I added special fear and laughter to the character of Behrouz Eshghi so that the character is the one that Mehran Modiri wants.”
Mehran Ghafourian (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All day I heard your high heart-broken laughter, Swallow, and, hearing, cried, ‘Is there no place Or time when you forget, Pandîon’s daughter, Your maidenhood, and Têreus, King of Thrace?’”
Pamphilus of Alexandria (100–100) said by 100 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Oxford Book of Greek Verse in Translation (1938)
“Hidden behind their blinds, the ones who dared not show themselves tried not to miss any of the spectacle. I saw their glowing eyes, heard their cruel muffled laughter, comments, judgments, against which my father could scarcely defend himself. My fear of him died that day. I had seen him blush before my eyes (p102)”
Marie Vieux-Chauvet (1916–1973) said by 1973 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Unganyebelezeli, kuza kudlalwa!’ piped Mxolisi’s little voice, calling for daring and defiance. To look at him do the war cry of the Comrades, poised in a defiant stance, his tiny fist up in the air, couldn’t but send all those who heard him into paroxysms of laughter.”
Sindiwe Magona (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Outside, a bird chirruped short piercing cries, like mocking laughter.”
A. Igoni Barrett (born 1979) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Old joys seem dead, old faces without joys; Laughter is dead. There is no mirth in boys.”
Frederick Tennyson (1807–1898) said by 1898 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Old Age" in The Shorter Poems of Frederick Tennyson (1913)
“A woman’s laughter can charm a man out of his senses.”
William Barton (writer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“who is a team builder; I could see a man who is results-oriented, and most importantly, I see somebody who is gender sensitive – (Interruption) – When I talk about gender sensitivity, I mean both the men and the women – (Prolonged Laughter).”
Nusura Tiperu (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We hear the jade bell's laughter and think it laughs at us; for the poet there is terror in the dust.”
Lu Ji (Shiheng) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Not long ago, I asked John what he was doing at the precise moment when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. "Truth be told, my boy," John said, "I was in bed with a good-looking gal." I asked if he ever saw her again. "See her again?" said John. "She was my wife for sixty years!" Then he slapped his knee and bellowed with laughter.”
Jack H. Jacobs (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“(Laughter). The rest of the funds will go to the organizing committee, which has incurred quite a bit of debt to organize this cultural event. We have approached sponsors who have so far not responded favorably, probably due to the economic crisis affecting the country. This is also the reason for the postponement of the concert to July 9, originally scheduled for June 3.”
Mounira Mitchala (born 1979) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Each heart knows instinctively that it is only a mate who can give full comprehension of all the potential greatness in the soul, and have tender laughter for all the childlike wonder that lingers so enchantingly even in the white-haired.”
Marie Stopes (1880–1958) said by 1958 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In stage acting, we can interact with the audience live, so we know their response right away. I think the audience contributes to the play as well because their laughter, or even the sound of their breathing instigates our next move or spurs us to do something more. That was an ecstatic feeling that I cannot forget.”
Kim Seon-ho (born 1986) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kim Seon Ho on His Way to the Top" in Elle Singapore (April 30, 2021)
“For us, as kids, snow was synonymous with fun. Snow meant speed, exhilaration, and toppling laughter. Snow gave us the freedom to fight, slide, crash, and make a mess, without the fear of a scolding. Snow put a wrench in the works, stopped the numbing timetable of school lessons and stealing an extra day of free time.”
Sally Coulthard (born 1974) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (160 pages; 1st edition 2018)
“I look on Native women's writing as a gift, a give-away of the truest meaning. Our spirit, our sweat, our tears, our laughter, our love, our anger, our bodies are distilled into words that we bead together to make power. Not power over anything. Power. Power that speaks to hearts as well as to minds.”
Beth Brant (1941–2015) said by 2015 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Grief do I give you — grief and dreadful laughter. Sackcloth for banner, ashes in your wine. Go forth, go forth, nor ask me what comes after. The fifth stone shall not fail you, son of mine.”
Stella Benson (1892–1933) first seen 1918 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Titled "Five Smooth Stones". Twenty (1918), pp. 53–8
“She trips along the street, a flashing wonder, Dazzling enigma! Courtesan or maid? Temple of chastity, or hall of trade? An angel-presence, or a soul of plunder Casting the doors of sanctitude asunder? A beauteousness, by love and laughter swayed, Or death in immemorial masquerade? A dainty dawn-song, or a snarl of thunder?”
Bartlett Adamson (1884–1951) first seen 1935 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brain Brats: Alternatives", in The Australian Mercury, vol. 1, no. 1 (July 1935) p. 79
“I love long black eyes that caress like silk, Ever and ever sad and laughing eyes, Whose lids make such sweet shadow when they close It seems another beautiful look of hers. I love a fresh mouth, ah, a scented mouth, And curving hair, subtle as a smoke, And light fingers, and laughter of green gems.”
Bilhana (born 1000) first seen 1921 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chauraspanchasika, st. 35 (tr. E. Powys Mathers, 1921)
“My mother used to say, I learned reverence and silence at the age of fun and laughter.”
Ali Moustafa Mosharafa (1898–1950) said by 1950 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The apartheid government was frightened of ridicule. Everyone is frightened of laughter.”
Janet Suzman (born 1939) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Say no moor: Dame Janet Suzman on why South Africa’s apartheid-era censors wouldn’t dare touch Othello Sage Journals (5 April 2016)
“I’m the youngest of six kids and I grew up with a lot of noise, a lot of music and a lot of laughter”
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My stories have become a source of solace, laughter, and reflection for many, creating an intimate bond between me and my readers”
Yvonne Maphosa wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We heal in pieces, in music, in laughter, in each other.”
Kiminou Knox (born 2006) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I felt so proud showing the world that I come from the land known for its people - their laughter, smile, spirit & warmth no matter where in the world they are.”
Laura Lehmann (born 1994) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Laura Lehmann's post-Miss World message: ' I love you Philippines, I'm coming home'". GMA Network. 19 November 2017.
“Every line holds a story—of laughter, resilience, motherhood, heartbreak, joy, and growth.”
Angel Aquino (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As Christmas is still being celebrated somewhere in the world, I just want to say thank you—for the gift of presence. For the laughter, the patience, the understanding, and the love,”
Kim Chiu (born 1990) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kim Chiu reflects on the past year: ‘Blood is different, yes, but bond is everything’, Drew Acierto, Push Team 26 December 2025.