"I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately." — George Carlin
It is with heavy heart and boundless respect that I dedicate this week's entry to the late, great, comedian-philosopher George Carlin. He was one of the few that could shock, entertain, and educate all in the same sentence. He was a master of "analytical thinking" and his words offered a fresh, sometimes startling, view on everything from sex and psychology to all things taboo including politics and religion. He, along with Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor, was of the last pure social provocateurs.
Carlin made us think about our culture, our flaws, our hypocrisies, and excesses. He fought for freedom of expression and individuality. I may not have always agreed with him or his positions, but he always made me think.
I hope we, as fans & supporters of his work, can honor his life and legacy by becoming his intellectual children and wrap our heads around the methods and mechanism that he used to challenge everything. Below, I've listed some of my favorite quotes from his amazing career. If you're new to his act then pop on over to YouTube and search for "George Carlin 7 Words".
We've lost a bright star in our long midnight. Farewell, Mr. Carlin.
"The very existence of flame throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, 'You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.” -- George Carlin
"Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” -- George Carlin
"I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.” -- George Carlin
"If God had intended us not to masturbate he would've made our arms shorter.” — George Carlin
"Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.” -- George Carlin
"Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?” -- George Carlin
"Religion convinced the world that there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there's 10 things he doesn't want you to do or else you'll go to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! ...And he needs money! He's all powerful, but he can't handle money!” -- George Carlin
"If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted?” -- George Carlin
"When someone asks you, A penny for your thoughts, and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny?” -- George Carlin
"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.” -- George Carlin
"If it’s true that our species is alone in the universe, then I’d have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little.” -- George Carlin
Comments