It's the American view that everything has to keep climbing: productivity, profits, even comedy. No time for reflection. No time to contract before another expansion. No time to grow up. No time to fuck up. No time to learn from your mistakes. But that notion goes against nature, which is cyclical. And I hope I'm now beginning a new cycle of energy and creativity. If so, it'll really be my third career. The first was as a straight comic in the Sixties. The second was as a counterculture performer in the Seventies. The third will be… well, that's for others to judge.

About George Carlin

George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, satirist, social critic, actor and author. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential comedians of all time, he was known for his stand-up routines, combining elements of dark comedy and commentary...

More quotations from George Carlin

The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.

—George Carlin

love family argument food

Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call

—George Carlin

doctors

I don't believe there's any problem in this country, no matter
how tough it is, that Americans, when they roll up their sleeves, can't completely ignore.

—George Carlin

americans

Actually, if you ask me, this country could do with a little less motivation. The people who are causing all the trouble seem highly motivated to me. Serial killers, stock swindlers, drug dealers, Christian Republicans. I'm not sure motivation is always a good thing. You show me a lazy prick who's lying in bed all day, watching tv,… and I'll show you a guy who's not causing any trouble.

—George Carlin

trouble motivation

Wouldn't it be weird if the only way people could die was that their heads suddenly exploded without warning? If there was simply no other cause of death? One day you'd be sitting there having a hot chocolate, and suddenly your head would explode.

—George Carlin

humor death explosions

More quotations tagged with “comedy”

Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.

—Charlie Chaplin

life tragedy comedy

With a stop light, green means 'go' and yellow means 'slow down'. With a banana, however, it is quite the opposite. Yellow means 'go', green means 'whoa, slow down', and red means 'where the heck did you get that banana?

—Mitch Hedberg

comedy fruit food colors banana

I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.

—George Carlin

censorship comedy violation

All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl.

—Charlie Chaplin

love humor law pain comedy

The only rules comedy can tolerate are those of taste, and the only limitations those of libel.

—James Thurber

comedy taste libel

History

7 Aug 2016 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

It's the American view that everything has to keep climbing: productivity, profits, even comedy. No time for reflection. No time to contract before another expansion. No time to grow up. No time to fuck up. No time to learn from your mistakes. But that notion goes against nature, which is cyclical. And I hope I'm now beginning a new cycle of energy and creativity. If so, it'll really be my third career. The first was as a straight comic in the Sixties. The second was as a counterculture performer in the Seventies. The third will be…well, that's for others to judge.