You see people who are still there doing things but their souls have disappeared so there's no joy in it anymore, so I'm scared of not listening to the part of me that knows when it's time to stop something and start something new.
Simon AmstellRead
I felt like there was something wrong with me in my twenties but, when I started doing stand up comedy, I learnt that if you tell the truth it's really funny and people connect to it. So I think if I keep doing that then I'll be happy.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the idea that honesty can lead to personal happiness and connection with others through humor.
In this quote, Simon Amstell shares his journey of self-discovery and acceptance through the lens of stand-up comedy. Initially feeling a sense of inadequacy in his twenties, he found that expressing his truths in a humorous way resonated with others. This realization not only brought him joy but also fostered genuine connections with his audience, highlighting the power of authenticity and the universal appeal of shared experiences.
In practice
This quote can be used to inspire young comedians struggling with self-doubt.
You see people who are still there doing things but their souls have disappeared so there's no joy in it anymore, so I'm scared of not listening to the part of me that knows when it's time to stop something and start something new.
I don't see the point of doing comedy unless it comes from pain.
I think as much as I talk about humour being a defence mechanism, I'm also really grateful that I developed it, because I now have it as a choice, rather than a panic button. I feel like it's there if I want to use it. It's fun.
By saying the thing that I'm most embarrassed about on stage, I end up witnessing the fact that it isn't a problem. People don't usually walk out, when I say the thing that I'm deeply ashamed of.
I bought a cactus. A week later it died. And I got depressed, because I thought, Damn. I am less nurturing than a desert.
He is so stupid you can't trust him with an idea.
You have to have a passionate opinion; otherwise you sound false. You end up telling the audience jokes they've already heard.
Why, dear boy, we don't send wizards to Azkaban just for blowing up their aunts.
Anybody, providing he knows how to be amusing, has the right to talk about himself.
It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.
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