Martin Amis on humor

The arms race is a race between nuclear weapons and ourselves.

Every writer hopes or boldly assumes that his life is in some sense exemplary, that the particular will turn out to be universal.

Being inoffensive, and being offended, are now the twin addictions of the culture.

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