“Sophistication might be described as the ability to cope gracefully with a situation involving the presence of a formidable menace to one's poise and prestige (such as the butler, or the man under the bed — but never the husband).”

The New Yorker (2 August 1930), discussing cartooning
From other writings

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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James Thurber90

American cartoonist, author, journalist, playwright 1894–1961

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“Sophistication might be described as the ability to cope gracefully with a situation involving the presence of a formidable menace to one's poise and prestige (such as the butler, or the man under the bed — but never the husband).”

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James Thurber90

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