You spend so much time in the world of virtual that the actual - which nothing is more actual than stand-up - it's a painful experience for the audience, and the comedian a lot of time - we miss that.
The truth is, I had always wanted to be a comedian, but I really didn't have that kind of personality, and it's a terrifying thing to say.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects Jerry Seinfeld's internal struggle with his desire to become a comedian despite feeling that he didn't have the right personality for it.
In this quote, Jerry Seinfeld candidly reveals his lifelong aspiration to be a comedian, while acknowledging the inherent fear and vulnerability that comes with such a declaration. He recognizes the challenges of stepping into the comedic world, especially when one's personality may not align with the stereotypical characteristics often associated with successful comedians, highlighting the tension between passion and self-perception.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a comedy workshop to emphasize the importance of embracing one's fears.
More from Jerry Seinfeld
All quotes βI didn't know every day I would be discussing the tone of my voice with my wife. I thought it was a marriage. Apparently, it's a musical.
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...."
According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.
There's very little advice in men's magazines, because men don't think there's a lot they don't know. Women do. Women want to learn. Men think, 'I know what I'm doing, just show me somebody naked.'
There is no such thing as an attention span. There is only the quality of what you are viewing. This whole idea of an attention span is, I think, a misnomer. People have an infinite attention span if you are entertaining them.
Similar quotes
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you're probably watching the wrong channel.
I've learned to have absolutely no regrets about any jokes I've ever done.
Feeling different, feeling alienated, feeling persecuted, feeling that the only way to deal with the world is to laugh - because if you don't laugh you're going to cry and never stop crying - that's probably what's responsible for the Jews having developed such a great sense of humor. The people who had the greatest reason to weep, learned more than anyone else how to laugh.
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.
I think I wear my hypocrisy on my sleeve. I would never say I'm not a complete hypocrite.