Call me a “rube” and a “hick,” but I’d a lot rather be the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the man who sold it.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist

(Attributed)

Widely attributed to Rogers, though I cannot find a primary source for it.

Variants:

• "They may call me a rube and a hick ..."
• "Call me a rube ..."
• "You could call me a hick or call me a rube ..."