Leo Rosten Quotes

A collection of quotes by Leo Rosten.

Leo Rosten was an American humorist, writer, and educator, best known for his comedic works and contributions to the English language. Born on April 11, 1908, in Lodz, Poland, he emigrated to the United States with his family as a young boy. Rosten studied at the City College of New York and earned a doctorate from the University of Chicago.

Throughout his career, Rosten held various teaching positions, including professorships at Sarah Lawrence College and the University of California, Berkeley. However, it was his writing that brought him widespread recognition. He authored numerous books, with his most famous work being "The Joys of Yiddish" (1968), a humorous exploration of Yiddish language and culture. This book became a cultural phenomenon, introducing many readers to Yiddish words and expressions.

Rosten's wit and humor extended beyond "The Joys of Yiddish" as he dabbled in various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, and plays. His other notable works include the "Hyman Kaplan" series, the novel "Captain Newman, M.D.", and the play "The Education of Hyman Kaplan." Rosten also wrote for popular publications such as Esquire and The New Yorker.

Leo Rosten's contributions to both literature and humor helped preserve and popularize the richness of Yiddish language and culture, making him a beloved figure among readers worldwide. He passed away on February 19, 1997, leaving behind a significant imprint on American humor and language.

Some things are so unexpected that no one is prepared for th

Some things are so unexpected that no one is prepared for them.

A conservative is one who admires radicals centuries after t

A conservative is one who admires radicals centuries after they're dead.

Courage is the capacity to confront what can be imagined.

Courage is the capacity to confront what can be imagined.

Extremists think communication means agreeing with them.

Extremists think communication means agreeing with them.

I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I

I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all..

Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is

Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.

Authors & Writing

Courage is the capacity to confirm what can be imagined.

Courage is the capacity to confirm what can be imagined.

A writer writes not because he is educated but because he is

A writer writes not because he is educated but because he is driven by the need to communicate. Behind the need to communicate is the need to share. Behind the need to share is the need to be understood. The writer wants to be understood much more than he wants to be respected or praised or even loved. And that perhaps, is what makes him different from others.

Authors & Writing

The only reason for being a professional writer is that you

The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can't help it.

Authors & Writing

In the dark colony of night, when I consider man's magnifice

In the dark colony of night, when I consider man's magnificent capacity for malice, madness, folly, envy, rage, and destructiveness, and I wonder whether we shall not end up as breakfast for newts and polyps, I seem to hear the muffled cries of all the words in all the books with covers closed.

Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.

Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.

Humor is, I think, the sublets and chanciest of literary for

Humor is, I think, the sublets and chanciest of literary forms. It is surely not accidental that there are a thousand novelists, essayists, poets or journalists for each humorist. It is a long, long time between James Thurbers

Satire is focused bitterness.

Satire is focused bitterness.

I never cease being dumbfounded by the unbelievable things p

I never cease being dumbfounded by the unbelievable things people believe.

If you are going to do something wrong, at least enjoy it.

If you are going to do something wrong, at least enjoy it.

Truth is stranger than fiction; fiction has to make sense.

Truth is stranger than fiction; fiction has to make sense.

We see things as we are, not as they are.

We see things as we are, not as they are.

I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentle

I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong.

I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I

I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.

Extremists think 'communication' means agreeing with them.

Extremists think 'communication' means agreeing with them.