Jean Cocteau on humor

Victor Hugo was a madman who thought he was Victor Hugo.

A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses.

The day of my birth, my death began its walk. It is walking toward me, without hurrying.

Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.

George Bernard Shaw1856–1950The Doctor’s Dilemma (1911), Act V

• Life & Death

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place.

Mark Twain1835–1910“What Paul Bourget Thinks of Us?” (1897)

You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.

Bill Cosbyborn 1937