WIST Quotations

Arbuckle, Fatty -- “Fatty Off Guard,” interview by Elizabeth Sears (1916)

Dave — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 18:49:10 +0000

I don’t believe there is any finer mission on earth than just to make people laugh.

Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle (1887-1933) American silent film actor, comedian, director, screenwriter
“Fatty Off Guard,” interview by Elizabeth Sears (1916)
(Source)

Allen, Steve -- Funny People, Introduction (1981)

Dave — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 15:21:48 +0000

Without laughter life on our planet would be intolerable. So important is laughter to us that humanity highly rewards members of one of the most unusual professions on earth, those who make a living by inducing laughter in others. This is very strange if you stop to think of it: that otherwise sane and responsible citizens should devote their professional energies to causing others to make sharp, explosive, barking-like exhalations.

Steve Allen (1922-2000) American composer, entertainer, and wit.
Funny People, Introduction (1981)
(Source)

Beerbohm, Max -- Obituary of Dan Leno, Saturday Review (5 Nov 1904)

Dave — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 13:48:31 +0000

Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best. Genius must always have lapses proportionate to its triumphs.

Max Beerbohm (1872-1956) English parodist, caricaturist, wit, writer [Sir Henry Maximilian Beerbohm]
Obituary of Dan Leno, Saturday Review (5 Nov 1904)
(Source)

Emerson, Ralph Waldo -- “The Comic,” closing words, Letters and Social Aims (1875)

Dave — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:42:10 +0000

When Carlini was convulsing Naples with laughter, a patient waited on a physician in that city, to obtain some remedy for excessive melancholy, which was rapidly consuming his life. The physician endeavored to cheer his spirits, and advised him to go to the theater and see Carlini. He replied, “I am Carlini.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet
“The Comic,” closing words, Letters and Social Aims (1875)
(Source)

This joke/anecdote has numerous variations over the last century and more. For example, see here and here.

Rogers, Will -- Column (1931-06-28), “Daily Telegram”

Dave — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:54:32 +0000

I certainly know a comedian can only last till he either takes himself serious or his audience takes him serious, and I don’t want either one of those things to happen to me till I am dead (if then).

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1931-06-28), “Daily Telegram”
(Source)

Rejecting the idea of running for President.

Shakespeare, William -- King Lear, Act 5, sc. 3, l. 83 (5.3.83) (1606)

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

REGAN: Jesters do oft prove prophets.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
King Lear, Act 5, sc. 3, l. 83 (5.3.83) (1606)
(Source)

Frequently misattributed (with "often" for "oft") to Joseph Addison.