Quotessence
Home / Authors / James Thurber
James Thurber

James Thurber Quotes

Cartoonist

Filter quotes by topic

AllComedyMenIfsDogKnowsLongYearsHumorWritingThinkingTwoWittyFunnyLifeAgeEnoughFunHomeHumansLaughter

Famous James Thurber Quotes

“We are a nation that has always gone in for the loud laugh, the wow, the yak, the belly laugh, and the dozen other labels for the roll- em-in-the-aisles gagerissimo. This is the kind of laugh that delights actors, directors, and producers, but dismays writers of comedy because it is the laugh that often dies in the lobby. The appreciative smile, the chuckle, the soundless mirth, so important to the success of comedy, cannot be understood unless one sits among the audience and feels the warmth created by the quality of laughter that the audience takes home with it.”

FeelsKindImportantWarHomeDiesActorsNationsQualityAudienceLaughingGoneComedyDirectorsLaughterUnderstoodDelightProducersLabelsLoudEmsWarmthWowDozenBellyMirthAisleAppreciativeDismayChucklesBelly LaughsYaks
Book:Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and Himself
Create image

“Every time is a time for comedy in a world of tension that would languish without it. But I cannot confine myself to lightness in a period of human life that demands light. We all know that, as the old adage has it, "It is later than you think." But I also say occasionally: "It is lighter than you think." In this light let's not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness.”

ThinkingKnowsWorldHumansLooksLightComedyAwarenessPeriodsDemandHuman LifeTensionAdagesLightersLightnessLanguish
Author:James Thurber
Create image

“The appreciative smile, the chuckle, the soundless mirth, so important to the success of comedy, cannot be understood unless one sits among the audience and feels the warmth created by the quality of laughter that the audience takes home with it.”

FeelsImportantHomeHappinessSuccessJoyQualityAudienceComedyLaughterUnderstoodWarmthCongratulationsMirthAppreciativeChuckles
Book:Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and Himself
Create image

“Sophistication might be described as the ability to cope gracefully with a situation involving the presence of a formidable menace to one's poise and prestige (such as the butler, or the man under the bed - but never the husband).”

MenMightAbilitySituationComedyBedHusbandInvolvingMenacePrestigeFormidableSophisticationButlersPoise
Book:Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and Himself
Create image