WIST Quotations

Wagner, Jane -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool.

Jane Wagner (b. 1935) American humorist, writer, director
(Attributed)

Wagner, Jane -- The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Part 1 (1985) [perf. Lily Tomlin]

Dave — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:55:35 +0000

LILY: I worry no matter how cynical you become,
it’s never enough to keep up.

Jane Wagner (b. 1935) American humorist, writer, director
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Part 1 (1985) [perf. Lily Tomlin]
(Source)

Variant: "No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up."

Wagner, Jane -- The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Part 1 (1985) [perf. Lily Tomlin]

Dave — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:56:54 +0000

TROUT: After all, what is reality anyway? Nothin’ but a
collective hunch.

Jane Wagner (b. 1935) American humorist, writer, director
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Part 1 (1985) [perf. Lily Tomlin]
(Source)

Variant: "Reality is a collective hunch."

Wagner, Jane -- The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Part 2 (1985) [perf. Lily Tomlin]

Dave — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:08:27 +0000

TROUT: I personally think we
developed language because of our deep inner need
to complain.

Jane Wagner (b. 1935) American humorist, writer, director
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Part 2 (1985) [perf. Lily Tomlin]
(Source)

Variant: "Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain."

Wagner, Jane -- Material written for Lily Tomlin

Dave — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:13:39 +0000

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.

Jane Wagner (b. 1935) American humorist, writer, director
Material written for Lily Tomlin

Quoted by Tomlin in "Thoughts on the Business of Life," Forbes (4 Mar 1991)