In the midst of tragedy we start the comedy.

Remember that in the midst of that which is most tragic there is always the comic and in the midst that which is most evil there is always much good.

The more tragic things get, the more I feel like laughing.

Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.

I think comedy is the most difficult thing in the world, I really do. One can always lament, you know — but to laugh in the face of life, that's very hard. And for me the great tragedian should also be a great comedian.

Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think. It is vital to mourn for the victims of this government, but not at the expense of losing our sense of humor. Our ability to laugh coincides directly with our ability to fight. If we can make fun of it, we can transcend it.

Always be comic in a tragedy. What the deuce else can you do?

Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think. It is vital to mourn the victims of this government, but not at the expense of losing our sense of humor. Our ability to laugh directly coincides with our ability to fight. If we make fun of it, we can transcend it.

Everything is funny; the greatest earnestness is funny; even tragedy is funny. And I think what I try and do in my [writing] is to get this recognizable reality of the absurdity of what we do and how we behave and how we speak.

I hasten to laugh at everything, for fear of being obliged to weep.

They’re not really so different. You know the old thing, comedy and tragedy are akin? Like lots of old things, it's the truth. Back of all comedy, there is tragedy; back of every good belly-laugh there is a familiarity with things not funny at all. There must be. You laugh with tears in your eyes, don’t you?

From even the greatest of horrors irony is seldom absent.

Humor is tragedy plus time.

He saw the humorous aspect of everything, which is the real test of the tragic sense.