The only rules comedy can tolerate are those of taste,…

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

Sourced, From other writings

“The Duchess and the Bugs”, ‘Lanterns & Lances (1961). The piece was “a response” to an award Thurber received from the Ohioana Library Association in 1953.

Other James Thurber Quotes

I hate women because they always know where things are. - View Quote Details on I hate women because they always know where things are.
Her own mother lived the latter years of her life in the horrible suspicion that electricity was dripping invisibly all over the house. - View Quote Details on Her own mother lived the latter years of her life…
A lady of forty-seven who had been married twenty-seven years and has six children knows what love really is and once described it for me like this: ‘Love is what you’ve been through with somebody.’ - View Quote Details on A lady of forty-seven who had been married twenty-seven years…
The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa. - View Quote Details on The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa.
Yes, my works lose something in the original. - View Quote Details on Yes, my works lose something in the original.
You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward. - View Quote Details on You might as well fall flat on your face as…
Every time is a time for comedy in a world of tension that would languish without it. But I cannot confine myself to lightness in a period of human life that demands light… We all know that, as the old adage has it, “It is later than you think.”…, but I also say occasionally: “It is lighter than you think.” In this light let’s not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness. - View Quote Details on Every time is a time for comedy in a world…
Love is the strange bewilderment that overtakes one person on account of another person. - View Quote Details on Love is the strange bewilderment that overtakes one person on…
Don’t let that chip on your shoulder be your only reason for walking erect. - View Quote Details on Don’t let that chip on your shoulder be your only…
All right, have it your way - you heard a seal bark! - View Quote Details on All right, have it your way - you heard a…