The next RNC chairwoman? Amb. Ann Wagner wary of transatlantic creep of socialism — and Michael Steele http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/30/the-next-rnc-chairwoman-amb-ann-wagner-wary-of-transatlantic-creep-of-socialism-—-and-michael-steele/ (December 12, 2010)
“Solemnity, I don't know what it's for. I mean, what is the point of it? The two most beautiful memorial services that I've ever attended both had a lot of humor. It somehow freed us all and made the services inspiring and cathartic. But solemnity, it serves pomposity. The self important always know at some level of their consciousness that their egotism is going to be punctured by humor. That's why they see it as a threat! And so, dishonestly, they pretend that their deficiency makes their views more substantial.”
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John Cleese 32
actor from England 1939Related quotes
Electromagnetic Theory (1912), Volume III; p. 1; "The Electrician" Pub. Co., London.
Context: The following story is true. There was a little boy, and his father said, “Do try to be like other people. Don’t frown.” And he tried and tried, but could not. So his father beat him with a strap; and then he was eaten up by lions.
Reader, if young, take warning by his sad life and death. For though it may be an honour to be different from other people, if Carlyle’s dictum about the 30 million be still true, yet other people do not like it. So, if you are different, you had better hide it, and pretend to be solemn and wooden-headed. Until you make your fortune. For most wooden-headed people worship money; and, really, I do not see what else they can do. In particular, if you are going to write a book, remember the wooden-headed. So be rigorous; that will cover a multitude of sins. And do not frown.
Quoted in San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/06/MN6C13VKH5.DTL&type=politics.
“What’s the point in having humor? Humor is to get us over terrible things.”
“Crowd men have no sense of humor. It is very difficult to educate solemn and opinionated people.”
Source: The Meaning of a Liberal Education (1926), p. 89
But two or three days later I was talking about the whole thing in the past tense. I was talking about how I "experienced" this thing, because I was back being that anxiety-neurotic, in a slightly milder form, but still, my old personality was sneaking back up on me.
Be Here Now (1971)
Steve Lowery (October 23, 1993) "What's So Funny? Humor Comes Under Harsh Glare of Political Correctness", Press-Telegram, p. C1.
Installation of the 28th Kedah Sultan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwsBj29BaP4 20/2/1959
“I find both humor and grimness in most issues.”
[NewsBank, E1, That science guy is back, in 'Eyes of Nye', Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, Washington, April 5, 2005, Tom Paulson]