---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think comedy comes more from a low…"
description: "\"I think comedy comes more from a low sense of self-esteem, and I certainly have that.\" — Craig Ferguson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png"
---

#  I think comedy comes more from a low sense of self-esteem…

![“I think comedy comes more from a low sense of self-esteem, and I certainly have that.” quote by Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png)

> “I think comedy comes more from a low sense of self-esteem, and I certainly have that.”

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑deprecating humor arises when a person feels insecure, using jokes to mask or cope with low self‑esteem.

**In simple terms:** Humor as a shield for insecurity

Key Takeaway

Comedy can reveal hidden insecurities

Themes

self‑esteem humor psychology vulnerability coping

Mood

wry reflective playful

Type

personal anecdote observational humor

When to use this quote

- stand‑up comedy
- social gatherings
- online memes
- therapy sessions
- friend group banter

Key Concepts

insecurity self‑deprecation defense mechanism

Practical Applications

- writing comedic material
- building rapport through relatable jokes

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we laugh at jokes about personal flaws?
- How does self‑deprecation affect audience perception?

A Different Perspective

Humor can also stem from confidence and observation, not just insecurity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Comedy Comes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy-comes/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Esteem Certainly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem-certainly-686601/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Low Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/low-sense-686602/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Sense of self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-self/) [Think Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-comedy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [I think comedy, so much of it comes out of the strange sort of golden instant 'cause you don't know why it's funny, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-lowe/i-think-comedy-so-much-of-it-comes-out-of-the-strange-sort-of-golden/)

[Alice Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-lowe/)

> [I don't think comedy comes from hotbeds of doing shtick. I think it usually comes from some kind of childhood humiliation or darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-silverman/i-don-t-think-comedy-comes-from-hotbeds-of-doing-shtick-i-think-it/)

[Sarah Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-silverman/)

> [I certainly do believe that a lot of comedy comes from awkwardness and embarrassment - pointing out the ways things are uncomfortable. Definitely the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-finnegan/i-certainly-do-believe-that-a-lot-of-comedy-comes-from-awkwardness/)

[Christian Finnegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-finnegan/)

> [I think comedy as an art involves the audience as a participant as much as is involves the artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-think-comedy-as-an-art-involves-the-audience-as-a-participant-as/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [“Healthy self-esteem is a commanding and powerful influence, so isn’t it worth diving in deeper to ensure that you do everything possible to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/healthy-self-esteem-is-a-commanding-and-powerful-influence-so-isn-t/)

[Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/)

> [The self-esteem of western women is founded on physical being (body mass index, youth, beauty). This creates a tricky emphasis on image, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonella-gambotto-burke/the-self-esteem-of-western-women-is-founded-on-physical-being-body/)

[Antonella Gambotto-Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonella-gambotto-burke/)

> [I feel that adolescence has served its purpose when a person arrives at adulthood with a strong sense of self-esteem, the ability to relate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-satir/i-feel-that-adolescence-has-served-its-purpose-when-a-person-arrives/)

[Virginia Satir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-satir/)

> [My inspiration for film comedy comes from here. Spend a day on the Madurai streets and you will be amused at the way these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek/my-inspiration-for-film-comedy-comes-from-here-spend-a-day-on-the/)

[Vivek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek/)

> [It's always been said that comedy comes mostly out of the dark side anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-thicke/it-s-always-been-said-that-comedy-comes-mostly-out-of-the-dark-side/)

[Alan Thicke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-thicke/)

> [Comedy comes with a bit of sarcasm, wit and edginess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiku-sharda/comedy-comes-with-a-bit-of-sarcasm-wit-and-edginess/)

[Kiku Sharda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiku-sharda/)

> [It's so hard for me to kind of fall in love with comedy, but if something comes my way... I mean, I loved 'Weird,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/it-s-so-hard-for-me-to-kind-of-fall-in-love-with-comedy-but-if/)

[Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/)

> [Comedy comes from childhood only. The humour genes you are born with remain with you. I was always making mischief and making people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/comedy-comes-from-childhood-only-the-humour-genes-you-are-born-with/)

[Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/)

> [Certainly in my appetite for more challenges, it's very much alive. I love comedy and it comes to me in a natural way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-levy/certainly-in-my-appetite-for-more-challenges-it-s-very-much-alive-i/)

[Shawn Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-levy/)

> [Comedy comes from tragedy, and being Iranian in America from 1979 on had been quite tragic. In stand-up comedy, I was able to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maz-jobrani/comedy-comes-from-tragedy-and-being-iranian-in-america-from-1979-on/)

[Maz Jobrani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maz-jobrani/)

> [All comedy comes from a dark place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katt-williams/all-comedy-comes-from-a-dark-place/)

[Katt Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katt-williams/)

## More by Craig Ferguson

> [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [Sometimes people think you’re smart if you question the status quo, if nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/sometimes-people-think-you-re-smart-if-you-question-the-status-quo-if/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [Sober alkies are often asked: "When did you hit rock bottom?" but a more informed question might be: "How many times did you hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/sober-alkies-are-often-asked-when-did-you-hit-rock-bottom-but-a-more/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [Remember the band, Flock of Seagulls? They had their van stolen. I was like, They still have a van?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/remember-the-band-flock-of-seagulls-they-had-their-van-stolen-i-was/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [People spend thousands of dollars trying to keep their teeth straight. I just hope we can live in a world where we accept gay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/people-spend-thousands-of-dollars-trying-to-keep-their-teeth-straight/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [Whoever I had become had to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/whoever-i-had-become-had-to-die/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [My pilot's license. I'm proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/my-pilot-s-license-i-m-proud-of-that/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [People are saying that Anderson Cooper could be the new Oprah. And then these people are struck by lightning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/people-are-saying-that-anderson-cooper-could-be-the-new-oprah-and/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [I'm so excited about the new iPad, I just iPeed my iPants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-m-so-excited-about-the-new-ipad-i-just-ipeed-my-ipants/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [For my birthday that year Anne gave me an inflatable atlas globe, along with a birthday card in which she wrote: I give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/for-my-birthday-that-year-anne-gave-me-an-inflatable-atlas-globe/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [114 isn't as old as it used to be they say its the new 104.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/114-isn-t-as-old-as-it-used-to-be-they-say-its-the-new-104/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [I have to do a show which is of interest to me, or else I'm lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-have-to-do-a-show-which-is-of-interest-to-me-or-else-i-m-lost/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [The first ads for medical marijuana have started airing on television in California. The ads are quite expensive. It costs a lot of money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/the-first-ads-for-medical-marijuana-have-started-airing-on-television/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [I wanted to be a rock star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-wanted-to-be-a-rock-star/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

> [I always appreciated my teachers. When I was 16, I gave them the greatest gift I could think of. I dropped out of school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-always-appreciated-my-teachers-when-i-was-16-i-gave-them-the/)

[Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

[Explore all 421 Craig Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/)

## 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. That's why I have to give all that I can, and at least produce something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/i-wouldn-t-want-people-to-laugh-at-me-that-s-why-i-have-to-give-all/)

[Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/)

> [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/)

[Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/)

> [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/)

[Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/)

> [“Laugh and grow strong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/laugh-and-grow-strong/)

[Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/)

[Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/)

> [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/)

[Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/)

> [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/)

[Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/)

> [Oh to that corkscrew, the useful tool to unlock the treasure of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/oh-to-that-corkscrew-the-useful-tool-to-unlock-the-treasure-of-wit/)

[Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/)

> [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/)

[Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/)

> [I do love to laugh!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-do-love-to-laugh/)

[Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/)

> [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

[Browse all 19,795 Comedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think comedy comes more from a low sense of self-esteem, and I certainly have that.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Craig Ferguson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sense-of-self-esteem-and-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Comedy"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sense-of-self-esteem-and-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/craig-ferguson-664_comedy_i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sen_47221.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think comedy comes more from a low sense of self-esteem, and I certainly have that.” — Craig Ferguson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Craig Ferguson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think comedy comes more from...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sense-of-self-esteem-and-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-think-comedy-comes-more-from-a-low-sense-of-self-esteem-and-i/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
