--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that all filth is local…and that…" description: "\"“I think that all filth is local…and that a joke isn’t a joke unless it’s at somebody’s expense”\" — Christopher Hitchens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/christopher-hitchens-117_comedy_i-think-that-all-filth-is-local-and-that_362766.jpg" --- # I think that all filth is local…and that a joke isn’t a… ![“I think that all filth is local…and that a joke isn’t a joke unless it’s at somebody’s expense” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/christopher-hitchens-117_comedy_i-think-that-all-filth-is-local-and-that_362766.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/christopher-hitchens-117_comedy_i-think-that-all-filth-is-local-and-that_362766.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa9/christopher-hitchens-117_comedy_i-think-that-all-filth-is-local-and-that_362766.jpg) > ““I think that all filth is local…and that a joke isn’t a joke unless it’s at somebody’s expense”” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comedy that targets individuals is often seen as more authentic, reflecting societal tensions and power dynamics. **In simple terms:** Jokes at someone's expense feel more real. Key Takeaway Recognize the impact of targeting humor. Themes humor ethics power social critique Mood provocative critical Type observational social commentary When to use this quote - stand‑up routines - online memes - political cartoons Key Concepts Satire cultural commentary psychology Questions to Reflect On - When does a joke cross the line? - Who decides whose expense is acceptable? A Different Perspective Humor can alienate and reinforce stereotypes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ## Related quotes > [“Think no filth, see no porn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/think-no-filth-see-no-porn/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [At bottom the world isn't a joke. We only joke about it to avoid an issue with someone, to let someone know that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/at-bottom-the-world-isn-t-a-joke-we-only-joke-about-it-to-avoid-an/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [“Well, what of it? If sex isn’t a joke, what is it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nella-larsen/well-what-of-it-if-sex-isn-t-a-joke-what-is-it/) [Nella Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nella-larsen/) > [A joke isn't a joke until someone laughs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crawford/a-joke-isn-t-a-joke-until-someone-laughs/) [Michael Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crawford/) > [I hope life isn't a joke.. cause I dont get it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hope-life-isn-t-a-joke-cause-i-dont-get-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If sex isn't a joke, what is it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nella-larsen/if-sex-isn-t-a-joke-what-is-it/) [Nella Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nella-larsen/) > [If there is a Nobel prize for dirt and filth, India will win it, no doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jairam-ramesh/if-there-is-a-nobel-prize-for-dirt-and-filth-india-will-win-it-no/) [Jairam Ramesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jairam-ramesh/) > [“that would have hidden the decades of filth that had left their stamp upon the wooden floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-block/that-would-have-hidden-the-decades-of-filth-that-had-left-their-stamp/) [Lawrence Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-block/) > [Between urine and filth we are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/between-urine-and-filth-we-are-born/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Now, it is very necessary that we should not flinch from seeing what is vile and debasing. There is filth on the floor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/now-it-is-very-necessary-that-we-should-not-flinch-from-seeing-what/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I stopped making movies because I don't like taking my clothes off. 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What is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-davies/everything-is-reduced-to-what-s-physical-in-the-end-because-it-s-the/) [Ray Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-davies/) ## More by Christopher Hitchens > [“The spirit of our accurate and exact philosophy is outraged by conclusions that contradict each other so glaringly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-spirit-of-our-accurate-and-exact-philosophy-is-outraged-by/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Many governments employ torture but this was the first time that the element of Saturnalia and pornography in the process had been made so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/many-governments-employ-torture-but-this-was-the-first-time-that-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [ It's \[Los Angeles\] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. 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Why are we praised by godly men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/gullibility-and-credulity-are-considered-undesireable-qualities-in/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It's much worse to see a woman drunk than a man: I don't know quite why this is true but it just is. Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-much-worse-to-see-a-woman-drunk-than-a-man-i-don-t-know-quite/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [It's true that obscenity is a matter of taste and in the eye of the beholder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-true-that-obscenity-is-a-matter-of-taste-and-in-the-eye-of-the/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I worked out early on to give up things I couldn't do well at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-worked-out-early-on-to-give-up-things-i-couldn-t-do-well-at-all/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Writing is what's important to me, and anything that helps me do that - or enhances and prolongs and deepens and sometimes intensifies argument…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/writing-is-what-s-important-to-me-and-anything-that-helps-me-do-that/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) [Explore all 1,241 Christopher Hitchens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## More Comedy quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I wouldn't want people to laugh at me. 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