In this post, I celebrate the many laughs and the wisdom of the late actor, writer, and stand-up comedy legend George Carlin. We laughed with him over the years, and all the while we were also learning.

“Just because you got the monkey off your back doesn’t mean the circus has left town.”¹ These words by the accomplished actor, writer, comedian, and philosopher George Carlin (1937 – 2008) are indicative of the way he entertained us and shared his wisdom with us simultaneously.

George was famous for his clever use of words and language. And although he may be most often remembered for his seven words you cannot say on television, he also offered a large number of gems that – while intended to be comical, of course – were also thought provoking.

Search for the video and/or transcript of Carlin’s May 13, 1999, address to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., for his diatribe against the liberties politicians take with the English language while addressing their constituents and the media. It is laughable, sure, but also sad because it highlights how the people are often misled by those who are elected to represent them.

Here are just a few of this additional thoughts and comments over the years: “Well, if crime fighters fight crime, and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? They never mention that part to us, do they? … Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? … I’m always relieved when someone is delivering a eulogy and I realize I’m listening to it…. 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…. Always do whatever’s next…. I was thinking about how people seem to read The Bible a whole lot more as they get older, then it dawned on me – they’re cramming for their final exam.”²

I had tickets to see Carlin back in the 1970s, but his show was canceled because he was ill. Many years later, he admitted his canceled appearances were really due to the fact that he was abusing illegal drugs at that time and was in no condition to perform.

Given my affinity for the English language – and my love of comedy – I was disappointed about not seeing his show. Who knows what crazy, funny, cynical, and thought-provoking things he might have said? I guess he was right when he commented, “Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.”³

Thankfully, there are numerous videos and audio recordings of his comedy routines, tours, TV appearances, and interviews so we can remember him and continue to appreciate his wit and wisdom.

REMEMBER

◊ Carlin observed, “’I am’ is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that ‘I do’ is the longest sentence?” He also said, “The reason I talk to myself is that I’m the only one whose answers I accept…. When you step on the brake, your life is in your foot’s hands… One can never know for sure what a deserted area looks like… and the status quo sucks.”⁴

◊ “I’m not concerned about all hell breaking loose,” Carlin noted, “but that a PART of hell will break loose…it’ll be much harder to detect.”⁵

◊ “When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle,” Carlin said. “I’m sure it made the work seem that much more urgent.”⁶

◊ This blog post is an excerpt from Dave’s upcoming book manuscript, Take This With You…100 Messages to Accompany You on Your Life Journey, that is currently in revisions. Visit www.davidajolley.com for additional blog posts, other interesting content, and updates on future book releases and appearances.

1. Carlin, George; Biography, https://www.biography.com/actors/george-carlin ↩︎
2. Carlin, George; BrainyQuote, www.brainyquote.com/authors/george-carlin-quotes ↩︎
3. Carlin, George; Biography, https://www.biography.com/actors/george-carlin ↩︎
4. Carlin, George; BrainyQuote, www.brainyquote.com/authors/george-carlin-quotes ↩︎
5. Carlin, George; BrainyQuote, www.brainyquote.com/authors/george-carlin-quotes ↩︎
6. Carlin, George; BrainyQuote, www.brainyquote.com/authors/george-carlin-quotes ↩︎