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James Thurber Quotes

Cartoonist

James Thurber was a renowned American cartoonist and writer. Born on December 8, 1894, and died on November 2, 1961, Thurber is known for his humor and satire in his works, which have had a profound impact on American literature and cartoon art.

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Famous James Thurber Quotes

“And so it went, and some lads lost their lasses, and most men lost their tempers, and all men lost their patience, and a few men lost their minds.”

Humour Witty

Book:The Wonderful O

Source: The Wonderful O

“Geese were safe as long as one of them did not stray from the rest and become a goose, and if one of a family of mice wandered from the nest, he became a mouse and lost his impunity.”

Humour Witty Childrens Books

Book:The Wonderful O

Source: The Wonderful O

“Taking a single letter from the alphaber," he said, "should make life simpler." "I don't see why. Take the F from life and you have lie. It's adding a letter to simple that makes it simpler. Taking a letter from hoarder makes it harder.”

Life Witty Simpler

Book:The Wonderful O

Source: The Wonderful O

“Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?”

Ifs Wells Funny Answers Numbers Comedy Conflict Phones Witty Hilarious Wrong Number

Author:James Thurber

“Women are wiser than men because they know less and understand more.”

Knows Men Funny Comedy Witty Maturity Ironic Wiser Being Irish Ireland And The Irish Funny Women

Author:James Thurber

“Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.”

Long Funny Progress Humorous Witty

Author:James Thurber

“There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else.”

Funny Numbers Comedy Safety Witty Workplace Safety Safety In Numbers Safety First

Author:James Thurber

“Comedy has to be done en clair. You can't blunt the edge of wit or the point of satire with obscurity. Try to imagine a famous witty saying that is not immediately clear.”

Trying Done Clear Comedy Imagine Stupid Fame Edges Witty Wit Satire Obscurity Blunt Witty Sayings

Author:James Thurber

About the Author

Born: December 8, 1894
Died: November 2, 1961
Known for: Cartoonist
Quotes: 193

Books & Sources

James Thurber: Writings & Drawings (including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty)Related source material

Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and HimselfRelated source material

Further fables for our timeRelated source material

Lanterns & LancesRelated source material

The Thurber letters: the wit, wisdom, and surprising life of James ThurberRelated source material

Many MoonsRelated source material

The 13 ClocksRelated source material

Thurber's Dogs: A Collection of the Master's Dogs, Written and Drawn, Real and Imaginary, Legends AllRelated source material

Writings and DrawingsRelated source material

Conversations with James ThurberRelated source material

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