Well, the most terrible fear that anybody should have is not war, is not a disease, not cancer or heart problems or food poisoning - it's a man or a woman without a sense of humor.
Jonathan WintersRead
The most terrible fear that anybody should have is not war, is not a disease, not cancer or heart problems or food poisoning - it's a man or a woman without a sense of humor.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The greatest fear is not physical dangers, but lack of humor in a person.
This quote highlights the importance of humor in our lives and suggests that a lack of it in a person is more concerning than any physical threat. Jonathan Winters emphasizes that humor brings joy, connection, and lightness, and living without it can lead to a bleak existence.
Themes
HumorFearImportanceLaughterJoy
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to highlight the value of positivity.
More from Jonathan Winters
All quotes →I don't do jokes. The characters are my jokes.
Jonathan WintersRead
If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it.
Jonathan WintersRead
Similar quotes
When things are difficult, awful, stressful, the thing that always gets you through is a sense of humour. I don't mean - well, maybe I do - laugh at the hangman as he puts the noose around your neck. But an eye, an ear, for the ridiculous, the absurd in life, can get you through a lot.
Paul MertonRead
They do what they do for money - that's all. I don't even know why you're listening to me. I've done commercials for both Coke and Pepsi. Truth is, I can't even taste the difference, but Pepsi paid me last, so there it is.
Dave ChappelleRead
Comedians have to challenge the power. Comedians should be dangerous and devastating - and funny. That's the hardest part.
Mort SahlRead
Are they real fires? Or are people just reacting to something? Just because there’s an alarm going doesn’t mean it’s a fire. And I think that people are confusing the two. It’s only a fire when it offends the fans, and the fans turn on you. Tosh has fans, and they get the joke. If you’ve watched enough Tracy Morgan, you let the worst thing go by. When did Tracy Morgan become Walter Cronkite? You have to mean something to me to offend me. You can’t break up with me if we don’t date.
Chris RockRead
You know why dogs have no money? No pockets. 'Cause they see change on the street all the time and it's driving them crazy. When you're walking them, he is always looking up at you. "There's a quarter...."
Jerry SeinfeldRead
I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.
Eleanor RooseveltRead