In some situations I was difficult, in odd moments impossible, in rare moments loathsome, but at my best unapproachably great.
I envy people who drink. At least they have something to blame everything on.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a sense of envy towards those who can attribute their problems to alcohol, highlighting the burden of personal accountability.
Oscar Levant's quote reflects a humorous yet poignant observation about the nature of blame and personal responsibility. It suggests that those who indulge in drinking can escape their troubles by attributing their misfortunes to alcohol, while individuals who do not drink must confront their challenges head-on. This sentiment reveals an underlying irony about the human condition, where the inability to blame something external can sometimes feel like a heavier burden.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a toast at a friend's birthday party, when discussing the challenges of life and coping mechanisms.
More from Oscar Levant
All quotes βWhen I appeared before the draft board examiner during World War II, he asked me if I thought I could kill. "I don't know about strangers," I replied, "but friends, certainly."
I have no trouble with y enemies. But my god damn friends... they are the ones that keep me walking the floors at night.
I'm a study of a man in chaos in search of frenzy.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.
The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.
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If You Want to Send a Message, Try Western Union.
Sudden glory is the passion which maketh those grimaces called laughter.
If you keep on drinking rum, the world will soon be quit of a very dirty scoundrel!
My face looks like a wedding-cake left out in the rain.
People say satire is dead. It's not dead; it's alive and living in the White House.
I think a playful critique is good for all of us, and that's basically how I see satire functioning. But I'm not interested in a kind of contemptuous satirical vision; I try always, even when I'm knowingly being satirical, to also be humane, but I mean, let's face it: there's plenty in American life to make fun of, and we all participate in it.