Quotes about humor
113 quotes from 83 people
Jack Kerouac1922–1969Pomes All Sizes (1992)I don’t perceive my role as a newsman at all. I’m a comedian from stem to stern.
Stephen Colbertborn 1964When asked what he perceives his role to be, given that many young people claim to get their news from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, on newsman.”Harvard University: A Conversation with Stephen Colbert” (1 December 2006).The wit’s desire is to be funny; the ironist is only funny as a secondary achievement.
Robertson Davies1913–1995The Cunning Man (1994), Part 2, section 6.- Robertson Davies1913–1995The Cunning Man (1994), Part 2, section 6.
If man had more of a sense of humor, things might have turned out differently.
Stanisław Lem1921–2006Solaris (1961), Ch. 12: “The Dreams”, p. 184I hasten to laugh at everything, for fear of being obliged to weep.
Pierre Beaumarchais1732–1799Le Barbier de Séville (1773), Act I, sc. ii (Figaro). Harbottle and Dalbiac (1904) p. 63
Rita Mae Brownborn 1944Starting from Scratch (1989)
John Cleeseborn 1939From The Human Face, BBC Television (2001)
Kahlil Gibran1883–1931Sand and Foam (1926)Never laugh when you’re being sarcastic. It will ruin the effect.
Scott Adams1957–2026The Joy of Work (1998)Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it.
Langston Hughes1901–1967“A Note on Humor”, from The Book of Negro Humor, p. vii (1966)A man’s got to take a lot of punishment to write a really funny book.
Ernest Hemingway1899–1961Letter (6 December 1924); published in Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters 1917–1961 (1981) edited by Carlos BakerTo listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs.
Sri Aurobindo1872–1950Sri Aurobindo: The Hour of God, and Other Writings (1970)
George Bernard Shaw1856–1950Answers to Nine Questions (September 1896), answers to nine questions submitted by Clarence Rook, who had interviewed him in 1895
Jon Stewartborn 1962Rolling Stone interview, October 31, 2006