Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.
Groucho MarxRead
I was so long writing my review that I never got around to reading the book.
Interpretation
The quote humorously points out the irony of focusing on writing a review instead of enjoying the actual book.
Groucho Marx's quote captures the humor in procrastination and the sometimes absurd priorities we set in life. It reflects the idea that we can become so engrossed in the tasks and obligations we create for ourselves, such as writing a review, that we miss the original experience or enjoyment of the subject itself, which in this case is reading the book.
In practice
During a debate about the importance of reading, this quote can serve as a humorous reminder not to get lost in analysis.
Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.
John you say you met in an elevator. Was the elevator going up at the time, or down? This is very important, for going down in an elevator one always has that sinking feeling and for all I know you may have this confused with love. If you were going up, it is clearly a case of love at first sight.
Firefly: Where is your husband? Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead. Firefly: I'll bet he's just using that as an excuse. Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end. Firefly: Hmmph. No wonder he passed away. Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him. Firefly: Oh I see. Then, it was murder.
Chico: "Here's the book, it's a dollar" Groucho: "Here's a ten, and shoot the change." Chico: "I don't have change I'd have to give you nine more books.
Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot, but don't let that fool you: he really is an idiot. I implore you, send him back to his father and brothers, who are waiting for him with open arms in the penitentiary. I suggest that we give him ten years in Leavenworth, or eleven years in Twelveworth.
Die, my dear? Why that's the last thing I'll do!
Achingly funny as it was, Larry Gelbart's writing gave off sparks that turned a hard light on the way we are.
I think a joke is a form of truth-telling. A good joke that's absurd contains elements of our daily darkness and also a possibility to escape that darkness. So, for me, humor is an attempt to capture everyday tragedy and everyday hopeful moments that we experience all of the time.
The way humor's usually used in horror, it's as a pressure-release valve; without it, the drama would escalate out of all control almost immediately.
The capacity of human beings to bore one another seems to be vastly greater than that of any other animal.
I was making my living from a joke about my appearance that I didn't understand, and in a way still don't, because when I look in a mirror it doesn't seem funny to me.
If You Want to Send a Message, Try Western Union.
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