When people think of comedy, they usually think of going to a show and having mindless fun. Though if you really pay attention, you can find little hidden gems of wisdom in a comedian’s act. Comedians often say profound and inspiring things that you didn’t notice because you were laughing too hard. That’s the great part of comedy: you can laugh just as much as you can learn.
1. “I think sometimes that people think brave means not being afraid, which of course it doesn’t mean that at all. It means that you’re afraid, but you move past that and do it anyway, do what you think is right.” – Craig Ferguson
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2. “What you want to worship above youth, I think, is beauty, and beauty is so beyond just appearances after a while. Because you can be with someone who’s good-looking; if they open their mouths and they’re an idiot, then they cease to be beautiful very quickly.” – Patton Oswalt
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3. “It used to be, everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. But that’s not the case anymore. Facts matter not at all. Perception is everything.” – Stephen Colbert
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4. “Desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything, or creating anything. Period. If you ain’t desperate at some point, you ain’t interesting.” – Jim Carrey
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5. “You should bring something into the world that wasn’t in the world before. It doesn’t matter what that is. It doesn’t matter if it’s a table or a film or gardening—everyone should create. You should do something, then sit back and say ‘I did that.'” – Ricky Gervais
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6. “You know what it’s like having five kids? Imagine you’re drowning. And someone hands you a baby.” – Jim Gaffigan
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7. “I talk for a living, so I should be able to say anything I want to say regardless of how you feel. What we’re starting to deal with now is your opinion matters, but to be quite honest, your opinion means nothing.” – Patrice O’Neal
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8. “I have found that the only thing that does bring you happiness is doing something good for somebody who is incapable of doing it for themselves.” – David Letterman
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9. “So many people prefer to live in drama because it’s comfortable. It’s like someone staying in a bad marriage or relationship – it’s actually easier to stay because they know what to expect every day, versus leaving and not knowing what to expect.” – Ellen DeGeneres
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10. “The whole idea of love is scary – so is being with someone for the rest of your life and being happy with them for the rest of your life. There’s lots of research to suggest that, actually, love’s not really that simple.” – Aziz Ansari
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11. “Politics has become infused with narcissism in America.” – John Oliver
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12. “The more you do stuff, the better you get at dealing with how you still fail at it a lot of the time.” – John Mulaney
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13. “If you’re quiet, you’re not living. You’ve got to be noisy and colorful and lively.” – Mel Brooks
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14. “The funny guy doesn’t get the girl until later in life. High school, college, everyone still wants the brooding, dangerous guy you shouldn’t have.” – Will Ferrell
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15. “I used to think you had to live this miserable life and that that would make you funnier, but you don’t. The misery will come. The misery will find you.” – Bill Burr
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16. “I did end up doing substitute teaching, but there’s not a lot of teaching involved in that.” – Todd Barry
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17. “Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.” – Jerry Seinfeld
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18. “I like my life alone. I mean, I love being with friends, and I love kissing and loving someone to pieces. But it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t ultimately start judging you and your choices.” – Sarah Silverman
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19. “A man is only as faithful as his options.” – Chris Rock
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20. “Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” – Conan O’Brien
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21. “Life isn’t something you possess. It’s something you take part in, and you witness.” – Louis C.K.
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22. “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby
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23. “The world can’t tell you who you are. You’ve just got to figure out who you are and be there, for better or worse.” – Dave Chappelle
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Comedy is an important part of society, so make plans to go see a live stand-up show. You won’t be disappointed. I guarantee it. You may even learn something.
