If I have all the tears that are shed on Broadway by guys…
“If I have all the tears that are shed on Broadway by guys in love, I will have enough salt water to start an opposition ocean to the Atlantic and Pacific, with enough left over to run the Great Salt Lake out of business. But I wish to say I never shed any of these tears personally, because I am never in love, and furthermore, barring a bad break, I never expect to be in love, for the way I look at it love is strictly the old phedinkus, and I tell the little guy as much.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Exaggerated metaphor about tears on Broadway creating a massive ocean, highlighting the speaker’s emotional detachment from love.
In simple terms: Broadway tears would fill oceans, but I never love.
Key Takeaway
Recognize emotional exaggeration and its purpose.
Themes
hyperbole
love
emotional detachment
Mood
wry
humorous
Type
satirical
reflective
When to use this quote
- songwriting
- theatrical critique
- personal narrative
- humorous monologue
Key Concepts
exaggeration
metaphor
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you use humor to avoid vulnerability?
- Can exaggeration reveal truth?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may obscure genuine feelings.