Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- De Divinatione [On Divination], Book 2, sec. 58 (45...
There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it. Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopherDe Divinatione [On Divination], Book 2, sec. 58 (45 BC) Alt. trans.:...
View ArticleButler, Samuel -- The Note-Books of Samuel Butler, “Life” [ed. Jones (1907)]
A sense of humor keen enough to show a man his own absurdities will keep him from the commission of all sins, or nearly all, save those that are worth committing. Samuel Butler (1835-1902) English...
View ArticleGoldsmith, Oliver -- The Traveller: Or, A Prospect of Society (1764)
Every absurdity has now a champion to defend it: and as he is generally much in the wrong, so he has always much to say; for error is ever talkative. Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774) Irish poet,...
View ArticlePratchett, Terry -- Mort (1987)
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . Scientists have calculated that the chances of something so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated...
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Interview with Chris Heath, GQ (15 May 2013)
If you can’t joke about the most horrendous things in the world, what’s the point of jokes? What’s the point in having humor? Humor is to get us over terrible things. That’s all it’s for. That’s why...
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Mill, John Stuart -- (Attributed)
That which seems the height of absurdity in one generation often becomes the height of wisdom in the next. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) English philosopher and economist(Attributed) Often cited from a...
View ArticleChamfort, Nicolas -- Maxims and Thoughts, ch. 3, #249 (1796)
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . The most absurd customs and the most ridiculous ceremonies are everywhere excused by an appeal to the phrase, but that’s the tradition. This is...
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Voltaire -- Questions sur les miracles (1765)
Formerly there were those who said: You believe things that are incomprehensible, inconsistent, impossible because we have commanded you to believe them; go then and do what is unjust because we...
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Camus, Albert -- Notebooks, Vol. 1 (1935-1942)
Always struck by the “comical” aspect of everything in Algeria connected with death. I find nothing more justified. Impossible to exaggerate the ridiculous quality of an event that is normally...
View ArticleCamus, Albert -- The Myth of Sisyphus” (1942)
I’m filled with a desire for clarity and meaning within a world and condition that offers neither. Albert Camus (1913-1960) Algerian-French novelist, essayist, playwrightThe Myth of Sisyphus” (1942)
View ArticleJohnson, Samuel -- The Rambler, #135 (2 Jul 1751)
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, criticThe Rambler, #135 (2 Jul 1751)
View ArticleBrowne, Thomas -- Hydriotaphia, or Urne-Buriall, ch. 4 (1658)
The religion of one seems madnesse unto another. Thomas Browne (1605-1682) English physician and authorHydriotaphia, or Urne-Buriall, ch. 4 (1658)
View ArticleAsimov, Isaac -- “The Role of the Heretic,” Foreword to Donald W. Goldsmith...
Science is in far greater danger from the absence of challenge than from the coming of any number of even absurd challenges. Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) Russian-American author, polymath, biochemist“The...
View ArticleDescartes, René -- Discourse on Method [Discours de la méthode], Part 2...
But in my college days I discovered that nothing can be imagined which is too strange or incredible to have been said by some philosopher. [Mais ayant appris dès le collège qu’on ne sauroit rien...
View ArticleSchopenhauer, Arthur -- Parerga and Paralipomena, Vol. 2, ch. 26...
There is no absurdity, however palpable, which cannot be firmly implanted in the minds of all, if only one begins to inculcate it before the early age of six by constantly repeating it to them with an...
View ArticleJefferson, Thomas -- Letter to James Smith (8 Dec 1822)
Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder is the sport of every wind. With such persons gullability which they...
View ArticleChesterton, Gilbert Keith -- “Spiritualism,” All Things Considered (1908)
Unless a thing is dignified, it cannot be undignified. Why is it funny that a man should sit down suddenly in the street? There is only one possible or intelligent reason: that man is the image of God....
View ArticleBierce, Ambrose -- The Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
ABSURDITY, n.: A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one’s own opinion. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) American writer and journalistThe Cynic’s Word Book (1906)
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