COMIC RELIEF
10 Hilarious Quotes from Celebrities That Will Crack You Up
Published on March 12, 2024
Credit: Joshua Burdick
Charlie Chaplin once said that a day without laughter is a wasted day, and we couldn’t agree more. In a world where humor is often overshadowed by seriousness, people with the ability to laugh at themselves and the silliness of life are like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day.
Here we gathered 10 moments of comedic brilliance from the mouths of celebrities, writers, and scientists.
Stranger Than Fiction
Credit: Gary Wayne Gilbert, CC BY-SA 2.0
"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense."
—Tom Clancy
A world-acclaimed writer of many espionage novels and military thrillers, Tom Clancy offers us a humorous insight into the chaotic nature of reality and the difficulties of storytelling. Certainly, reality is always stranger than fiction!
Open Mind
Credit: Myrmi, CC BY-SA 2.0
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."
—Terry Pratchett
The late Terry Pratchett, the beloved author of the Discworld fantasy series, delivers here a witty remark typical of his irreverent writing style. An open mind is a gift, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be wary of what you let others put into it.
Theory of Stupidity
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS, CC0
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe."
—Albert Einstein
Besides being a Nobel laureate and renowned physicist, Albert Einstein was known for his characteristic dry humor and his sarcastic observations about the world. Human nature is paradoxical, we can solve the most complex problems, yet we never seem to completely free ourselves from the yoke of stupidity.
Blonde Jokes
Credit: Union20
"I’m not offended by blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb…and I also know that I’m not blonde."
—Dolly Parton
The iconic country music star playfully addresses stereotypes about blonde women in this witty retort. Though Parton has nothing to prove, she shows us with charm and flair that humor and self-awareness are always the best defense against insult and prejudice.
Getting a Loan
Credit: mybody isatemple, CC BY-SA 4.0
"A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it."
—Bob Hope
Legendary comedian Bob Hope offers a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the absurd quirks of bank logic. And surely... what good does a loan to the already rich do?
Man’s Best Friend
Credit: Hometowns to Hollywood
"Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read."
—Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx, the comedic genius behind the Marx Brothers, delivers here one of his hilarious yet absurd jokes. Humor can certainly be found in the most unexpected places, even inside the belly of an unsuspecting dog!
Fairy Tales vs. Reality
Credit: McGill Library
"Life isn't a fairytale. If you lose a shoe at midnight, you're drunk."
—Darynda Jones
American novelist Darynda Jones offers a humorous twist on the classic Cinderella story by comparing it to reality. We would only like to add that if your Uber also looks like a pumpkin carriage, you might be better off just walking home.
Confidence
Credit: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0
"I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not quite sure."
—Tommy Cooper
Tommy Cooper was a master of slapstick comedy and absurd humor, and this quote attributed to him encapsulates his personality perfectly. Jokes aside, having a good sense of humor can actually help indecisive people gain more confidence in themselves!
A Great Willpower
Credit: Napoleon Sarony
"I can resist everything except temptation."
—Oscar Wilde
This famous quip of Oscar Wilde captures the essence of his playful yet thoughtful philosophy. Besides making you laugh, hopefully this quote can help lighten up a bit those moments when we feel like we aren’t living up to our expectations—like when you can’t help buying a ton of ice cream right after starting a new diet.
Growing Old
Credit: Joe Kennedy, Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0
"When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick."
—George Burns
Legendary comedian George Burns offers a humorous reflection on the passage of time with this amusing remark. Unfortunately, he might be right, as the Dead Sea is actually shrinking at a swift pace.