Famous quotes
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“I think Christian comedy has gotten a bad rap in the past because it's very passive, and it's not honest. It's like knock-knock jokes type humor. What we're bringing to the table is another level of honesty, and maybe transparency that I think does make some people uncomfortable.”
John Crist (comedian) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I always had dreamed of writing a novel set in the Philippines—what I knew of it. I struggled for years while I was writing poetry, thinking, one day I’m going to write this book. But in what voice? I read Malaysian writers and Chinese writers and Indian writers until I stumbled upon the Latin American writers and I realized that that was it: the humor, the fatalism, the passion and irony (1991)”
Jessica Hagedorn (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“La Cucaracha speaks for the disenfranchised with humor and a cutting voice”
Dolores Huerta (born 1930) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: about Lalo Alcaraz's cartoons, La Cucaracha(2004)
“Writing is the act of failing at something all the time. Do it with a sense of humor, and it ain’t no big deal. Life is just about falling on stage and getting up, and that’s what writing is all about, too.”
James McBride (writer) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the potential failure of writing in “James McBride: How I Write” in The Writer (2013 Dec 30)
“I have to totally credit that to my mother. There were two children. I was the only girl. And she just always talked to me. She would tell me things that happened to her … her dreams, her past … it’s like the monologues in my plays, it really is. Because her stories were loaded with imagery and tragedy, darkness and sarcasm and humor…”
Adrienne Kennedy (born 1931) first seen 1996 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On how her mother’s influence appears in her works in “Adrienne Kennedy by Suzan-Lori Parks” in BOMB Magazine (1996 Jan 1)
“I am a solo flyer. I go by dramatist or playwright. My brand is original plays that take on aspects of our shared American history that have shaped our culture. I write serious plays, but I use as much humor as possible. I also use a lot of music (original and found), and I’m not afraid to examine my characters’ sexuality…”
Oliver Mayer first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his writings in “Meet Oliver Mayer” in VoyageLA (2019 Jan 8)
“Those people with a sense of humor get by more comfortably than those who don’t.”
Carl Reiner (1922–2020) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interviewed in "Carl Reiner on being a comedian and Mel Brooks’ best friend", PBS News Hour (September 23, 2016)
“I think everyone is born with humor, but your life can beat it out of you, sadly, or you can be lucky enough to grow up in it.”
Catherine O'Hara (1954–2026) said by 2026 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I like dark comedies, and I don’t personally care for slapstick. It is fun to film, but I like something that’s more realistic in the humor, and then have a hint of seriousness to it. There’s still human nature regards to what’s right and wrong, and that’s what makes it funny, versus someone falling, for example. But even that happens in real life, so I don’t know.”
Samaire Armstrong (born 1980) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview: Samaire Armstrong Talks Around June and The Mentalist (March 14, 2012)
“I think I’ve kind of carved out a sweet spot for myself by combining science and comedy. To me, it’s like putting syrup in your medicine. Everything just goes down easier if you add humor to it, and you can reach a lot more people if you manage to do it in an entertaining way.”
Simone Giertz (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People do feel very entitled to say something negative as if that is their job, or if they have any reason, or as if they know that much. They usually don’t. So, I find it kind of funny, honestly. And, that’s how I deal with a lot of things, and that’s how I would deal with a bullying situation, is that I would try and find humor in it.”
Emily Osment (born 1992) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: INTERVIEW: Emily Osment Talks Cyberbullying, Hannah Montana & Her Music (July 15, 2011)
“With a comedy, you can easily take away the humor. So it’s very important to keep the pacing of it going, and to keep the lighthearted nature of it going. I think in many ways, a comedy is more difficult than drama”
Anne Dudley (born 1956) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Hustle” Composer Anne Dudley On Her Creative Process And Storytelling Through Music: BUST Interview (2019)
“I don't have an English sense of humor. In my language, I have tons of it. In English, you have to really get the slang, and the culture.”
Chow Yun-fat (born 1955) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview with Chow Yun Fat (April 1, 2009)
“Bilingual humor may be viewed as a relatively benign response to the frustrations inherent in living in such a linguistically and racially heterogeneous region as the hills and valleys of backwoods Southeast Asia.”
James Matisoff (born 1937) first seen 1969 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Lahu bilingual humor" (1969) (p.172)
“A sense of humor—bitter or otherwise—is the hallmark of a survivor.”
Charles E. Gannon (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“God has a great sense of humor about timing. I trust the Lord's timing more than I trust my own.”
John Joseph Leibrecht (born 1930) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Bishop John Leibrecht: A life of devotion (24 January 2008)
“Chaplin always infuses humor with great drama. I think that what life is. Life is never just humorous, never just tragic.”
Yasmin Ahmad (1958–2009) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reuters Article by Jalil Hamid - Malaysian filmmaker struggles with hardline Islam - 29 June 2007 - Archive
“The people I mixed with in Monaco didn't relate to my South African mentality or humor... Although I have met some wonderful people since I've been living in Monaco, I regard them all as acquaintances. I only have two people I consider friends here”
Charlene, Princess of Monaco (born 1978) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“RINGGENBERG: Do you find that a lot of the people who criticize Mad and maybe criticized the E.C.s back in the fifties lacked a certain sense of humor?”
William Gaines (1922–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If one has no sense of humor, one is in trouble.”
Betty White (1922–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The self-righteously bitter cartoons that appear in sectarian magazines are fine if all you want to do is preach to the choir, but I believe you can reach a lot more people with humor.”
Matt Wuerker (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“in Hollywood, I mean they don’t know we exist. They’re barely starting to figure out that there are Mexican Americans. And so I use humor as a way to cope with that and to let our community know that we’re not invisible, at least not to us.”
Lalo Alcaraz (born 1964) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My goal with 'Slowpoke' is to present a solidly-written piece of humor that usually entails some form of social or political commentary exposing distinctly ludicrous aspects of American life.”
Jen Sorensen (born 1974) first seen 2002 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview in Attitude (2002)
“I know it's my job to find humor in the gradual destruction of America as we know it, but I sometimes reach a point where I am so repulsed by the Bushies, and so exasperated by the Democrats, that I can hardly stand to draw cartoons about them. So I drew a cartoon about being sick of politics. Yes, even we cartoonists get discouraged.”
Jen Sorensen (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I work a lot on environmental issues, ecology, justice, peace, equality ... because it seems important to show through caricature and humor, the imbalance that humans generate our actions.Cartoonists not fix the planet, but we propose starting points for other views.”
Elena Ospina wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Cartoon is the fun way to express opinions and communicate, that's why I like it. When I illustrate textbooks I also try to make them have humor.”
Elena Ospina wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Charlie Hebdo case is disturbing for the entire guild. There are many taboos, intolerance and extremism. And our task is — to destroy them. I believe that clever and artistic, reasoned and convincing humor can push more and more walls in our world. And it can be done without insult or aggression.”
Ángel Boligán (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Doctors cure diseases for humans, and cartoonists cure diseases for society. Humor can promote people's understanding of the complex conditions in contemporary society.”
ARES (artist) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The initial influences on my work are in the work that was developed in Cuba in the humor magazine Dedeté [DDT], which avoids “pamphletizing” [crude propagandizing] and looks for new forms of communication … for non-traditional esthetic solutions. That’s where my style starts out.”
ARES (artist) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I find that I can say so much more through humor. People are far more likely to absorb a message or opinion if it is wrapped in wit.”
Matt Davies (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Humor is like a good eye for design, it comes when you have a strong sense of proportion along with the grace to step back and not take every little thing too seriously.”
Liana Finck (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The message you give to people is better accepted with humor.”
Rafael Quispe (born 1969) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rafael Quispe: Hago marketing político y la gente me conoce mejor" in Urgente.bo (25 February 2019).
“1. ACKNOWLEDGE CHAOS. 2. EXPERIMENT. 3. TO POLARIZE OR NOT TO POLARIZE 4. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMOR 5. LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO BRIDGE CHASMS 6. DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE STRENGTH OF SUBGROUPS 7. WELCOME THE ENERGY AND COURAGE OF THE YOUNG 8. PAY ATTENTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 9. LOOK TO EXPAND PEOPLE'S SENSE OF POSSIBILITY”
Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz (1945–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Humor empowers the disempowered”
Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz (1945–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You have to have a sense of humor. That's the story of my life. As an engineer, I had everything planned until I die. But when I say something, God says different. So I go with God, because he knows better.”
Enrique Esteban Delgado (born 1955) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Bishop Delgado gives his views on ministry — and his favorite film and TV show (2017) Archdiocese of Miami
“The humor was always there also, because even in desperate situations people are human. They still do funny things, and they still have their obsessions and habits. It bothers me when I read a book where everything is clear-cut and there isn't anything human about or in it. One of the things that often happens between cultures is the denial of common humanity.”
Linda Hogan (writer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You have a sense of humor, Mr. Kazam. That’s a rare thing in the religious.”
Cyril M. Kornbluth (1923–1958) said by 1958 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The combined effect of so many ambulatory sticks and balls, each of whom wore an expression of complete self-satisfaction, added strength to my longstanding belief that the profession of couturier required only a good knowledge of fabric and a malicious sense of humor.”
Matthew Hughes (writer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In Naples, as in Paris, it is difficult to hear, at least in conversation, those absolute, radically negative judgments that are heard elsewhere; as in Paris, the tendency is rather towards absolution, naturally with a somewhat skeptical undertone, and without delving too deeply; There is always, in the judgments, a humor and a politeness of worldly capital. (p. 443)”
Guido Piovene (1907–1974) said by 1974 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Zijn toewijding was cruciaal voor de oprichting van Girls Not Brides. 'Arch' was een altijd gepassioneerd pleitbezorger voor gelijke rechten voor mannen en vrouwen. En hij deed dit altijd met een geweldige combinatie van diep geloof en geweldige humor. Hij zei altijd: 'God is niet gek. God creëerde Eva omdat hij wist dat Adam het in zijn eentje niet zou gaan redden'.”
Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau (born 1968) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mabel van Oranje gaat 'dierbare vriend' Desmond Tutu missen Noordhollands Dagblad (21 December 2021)
“He takes the work so seriously. But he still has a sense of humor about himself, and I find that a very charming combination.”
Julianne Nicholson (born 1971) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Julianne Nicholson discusses her connection to ‘Dream Scenario’ Thestatesman (27 December 2023)
“Tell me, what’s the first thing a hacker does once he breaks into a system?” “I don’t know,” Quentin said. “He steals a bunch of credit card numbers and subscribes to a lot of really premium porn sites?” “He sets up a back door.” It was good to know that even having attained enlightenment Penny was still impervious to humor. “So that if he’s ever locked out, he can get back in.”
Lev Grossman (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Where we lose our capacity to play or to maintain our sense of humor, we find ourselves either seeing only that which is not working, or becoming attached to our own perception as the only viewpoint to have. In either case, whether it's our blind spots or fixed perspectives, we lack spontaneity and become over-identified with our own ways of looking at things. (p99)”
Angeles Arrien (1940–2014) said by 2014 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I don’t think I could write a book without humor in it. I mean, it’s sort of how I see the world. I think love is inherently funny.”
Julia Quinn (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Humor, as I knew from public radio, distances people. It attracts some people but puts off about an equal number.”
Bill Hammack (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Some people have missed the point, sexualizing the violence or being gross for the sake of it [..] Whatever we were doing with , there was definitely some thought behind it. [...] But it’s easy to be shocking, isn’t it? It’s easy to say horrible things. I’d like to say we did it with a sense of humor.”
Bill Steer (born 1969) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted by Jon Wiederhorn of (August 31, 2017)
“He was obviously a close and shrewd observer, but with little grace of style, and somewhat devoid of a sense either of humor or of irony as is shown by his remark about the Divine Hand making a way for the English by removing the Indians wherever they came to settle. Yet his very matter of tact statements are hardly less interesting for their inartistic uncouthness.”
Daniel Denton (1626–1703) said by 1703 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: William P. Trent and Benjamin W. Wells (eds.) Colonial Prose and Poetry, vol. 1 (1901), p. 121
“[Humor]: In its essence, merely tragedy standing on its head with its pants torn.”
Irvin S. Cobb (1876–1944) first seen 1941 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kernels from the Cobb", in "Quote" magazine, vol. 1, no. 19, Indianapolis, IN (May 10, 1941), p. 5
“I bring on board a female voice, my own personality, a sense of humor, my own following, passion, et cetera. Luckily, Bola and I share a common vision, but we are different personalities.”
Anita Erskine (born 1978) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My mother had this book lying around our house in the 1980s called “The Big Book of Jewish Humor.” I remember looking through it as a kid and understanding that Jewish people had their own inside jokes, and this fact alone somehow made me feel that Jewish people were their own club, a tribe, with an inside and an outside.”
Danzy Senna (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source