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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The greatest fear is not physical dangers, but the lack of humor in people.
Jonathan Winters emphasizes that among all the fears one may face in life, the absence of humor in a person is the most terrible. This reflects the importance of humor as a vital aspect of human experience, suggesting that without it, life becomes far less bearable and enjoyable, making humor essential for emotional and social well-being.
Themes
FearHumorLifeHappiness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be apt for a comedy event to highlight the importance of laughter.
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
Just to keep bad dreams at bay, she took a swig out of a bottle that smelled of apples and happy brain-death.
Terry PratchettRead
I would tell myself that I was about to address the largest mass assembly of idiots ever gathered in the history of mankind.
Winston ChurchillRead
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.
Simon AmstellRead
Golf is the ultimate avoidance activity for the dysfunctional dad. A game so nonsensically difficult, so pointless, so irrationally time consuming, the word golf itself can only stand for ‘Get Out, Leave Family.’
Jerry SeinfeldRead
I never joined the Boy Scouts. I don't trust any organization that has a handbook.
George CarlinRead
I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk show.
Michael PhelpsRead