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Robert Benchley Quotes

Humorist

Robert Benchley was an American humorist, writer, and actor, known for his witty humor style and unique satirical techniques. His career spanned theater, film, and radio, and he achieved significant success in the early 20th century.

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Famous Robert Benchley Quotes

“The naturalistic literature of this country has reached such a state that no family of characters is considered true to life whichdoes not include at least two hypochondriacs, one sadist, and one old man who spills food down the front of his vest.”

Men Two Country States Character Literature Family Fronts Old Man Spills Naturalism True Life Vests Hypochondriac

Book:Love Conquers All

Source: Love Conquers All

“I never liked bananas much anyway. Two-thirds of the way down even one banana I am willing to concede defeat smilingly and give the rest to the nearest monkey.”

Way Giving Two Willing Eating Thirds Defeat Monkeys Bananas

Book:My Ten Years in a Quandary and How They Grew

Source: My Ten Years in a Quandary and How They Grew

“I once heard of a murderer who propped his two victims up against a chess board in sporting attitudes and was able to get as far as Seattle before his crime was discovered.”

Two Able Games Attitude Heard Crime Victim Chess Boards Murderer Seattle

Book:The Athletic Benchley: 105 Exercises from the Detroit Athletic Club News

Source: The Athletic Benchley: 105 Exercises from the Detroit Athletic Club News

“There are two ways to travel, first class or with children.”

Way Firsts Children Two Class Two Ways First Class

Author:Robert Benchley

“In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children.”

Firsts Children Two America Class Travel Flying Aviation Pilots Airplane Funny Travel Tourism First Class Great Aviation Air Travel Travel And Tourism Pilots And Flying Travellers Funny

Author:Robert Benchley

“There may be said to be two classes of people in the world; those who constantly divide the people of the world into two classes and those who do not.”

People World May Said Two Class Divides

Author:Robert Benchley

“Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother who lets him have one”

Should Two Mother Animal Boys Dog Should Have Two Things Canine Pet Animals Pet Dog Animal Lover

Author:Robert Benchley

“All that a spectator gets out of the game is fresh air, the comical articles in his program, the sight of twenty-two young men rushing about in mysterious formations, and whatever he brought in his flask.”

Men Two Young Games Air Program Sight Twenties Mysterious Young Man Articles Spectators Formation Rushing Fresh Air Comical Twenty Two Flasks

Author:Robert Benchley

“The surest way to make a monkey of a man is to quote him. That remark in itself wouldn’t make any sense if quoted as it stands. The average man ought to be allowed a quotation of no less than three sentences, one to make his statement and two to explain what he meant. Ralph Waldo Emerson was about the only one who could stand having his utterances broken up into sentence quotations, and every once in a while even he doesn’t sound so sensible in short snatches.”

Source: My Ten Years in a Quandary and How They Grew

About the Author

Born: September 15, 1889
Died: November 21, 1945
Known for: Humorist
Quotes: 146

Books & Sources

My Ten Years in a Quandary and How They GrewRelated source material

The Athletic Benchley: 105 Exercises from the Detroit Athletic Club NewsRelated source material

Chips Off the Old BenchleyRelated source material

Benchley Lost and Found: 39 Prodigal PiecesRelated source material

Benchley beside himselfRelated source material

One Minute, PleaseRelated source material

Love Conquers AllRelated source material

No PoemsRelated source material

Of All ThingsRelated source material

The Benchley RoundupRelated source material

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