--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One thing you can't pretend to be is funny." description: "\"One thing you can't pretend to be is funny.\" — Cynthia Lewis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg" --- # One thing you can't pretend to be is funny. ![“One thing you can't pretend to be is funny.” quote by Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg) > “One thing you can't pretend to be is funny.” [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She asserts that genuine humor cannot be feigned; authenticity is essential. **In simple terms:** Humor must be authentic. Key Takeaway Be genuine in comedy. Themes authenticity humor self-awareness creativity Mood sincere thoughtful Type creative inspirational When to use this quote - stand‑up routines - scriptwriting - improv sessions Key Concepts comedic truth personal voice Questions to Reflect On - What makes your humor feel real? - How can you develop authentic comedic style? A Different Perspective Forced jokes can fall flat. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality/) ## Related quotes > [“I would do anything for you... anything. The only thing I can't do is pretend i'm not in love with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genna-rulon/i-would-do-anything-for-you-anything-the-only-thing-i-can-t-do-is/) [Genna Rulon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genna-rulon/) > [It is easy to smile at an insult and pretend it's funny when the person insulting you is hosing you with money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-alvarez/it-is-easy-to-smile-at-an-insult-and-pretend-it-s-funny-when-the/) [Al Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-alvarez/) > [“Sometimes we have to pretend that we don’t care in order to protect ourselves from the fact that we do. And the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/sometimes-we-have-to-pretend-that-we-don-t-care-in-order-to-protect/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [If you're looking for like, a pure base for your behavior on stage, maybe it's better to say, "Yeah, you're not obliged to pretend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-maxwell/if-you-re-looking-for-like-a-pure-base-for-your-behavior-on-stage/) Richard Maxwell > [“Dating is basically this weird thing where you go out and pretend to be someone you're not until the other person likes you enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-molesworth/dating-is-basically-this-weird-thing-where-you-go-out-and-pretend-to/) Kevin Molesworth > [sometimes the best thing to do is to pretend it didn't happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/sometimes-the-best-thing-to-do-is-to-pretend-it-didn-t-happen/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [“In this world we are all pretenders, and Society is our game”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-sterk/in-this-world-we-are-all-pretenders-and-society-is-our-game/) Lucas Sterk > [Agents and publishers only want one thing - good writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/agents-and-publishers-only-want-one-thing-good-writing/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [If it's one thing I know well is how to get my grind on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/if-it-s-one-thing-i-know-well-is-how-to-get-my-grind-on/) [Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/) > [One thing that is constantly on my iPod is India Arie - I like her a lot; I listen to her a lot. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/one-thing-that-is-constantly-on-my-ipod-is-india-arie-i-like-her-a/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [One thing must be granted to the rich: they are goodnatured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-graham-sumner/one-thing-must-be-granted-to-the-rich-they-are-goodnatured/) [William Graham Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-graham-sumner/) > [Hip-hop is not one thing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-yachty/hip-hop-is-not-one-thing/) [Lil Yachty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-yachty/) > [In a democracy, the one thing that cannot be done is to destroy its trust, its hope, its idealism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-heinz/in-a-democracy-the-one-thing-that-cannot-be-done-is-to-destroy-its/) [Teresa Heinz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-heinz/) > [Everything about Washington is inconsistent, because they say one thing and do another, which is what my opponent, Claire McCaskill, is very, very good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-steelman/everything-about-washington-is-inconsistent-because-they-say-one/) [Sarah Steelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-steelman/) > [I've said before, the number one thing that we have to work on is protecting the gay community from sharia law. Now, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foster-friess/i-ve-said-before-the-number-one-thing-that-we-have-to-work-on-is/) [Foster Friess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foster-friess/) ## More by Cynthia Lewis > [If you want to zoom down the expert slope tomorrow, you have to fall down the bunny slope today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/if-you-want-to-zoom-down-the-expert-slope-tomorrow-you-have-to-fall/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Ten minutes is short if it's a recess and long if it's a punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/ten-minutes-is-short-if-it-s-a-recess-and-long-if-it-s-a-punishment/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/if-the-horse-you-re-drawing-looks-more-like-a-dog-make-it-a-dog/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Even babies like to grab for things just beyond their reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/even-babies-like-to-grab-for-things-just-beyond-their-reach/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [You can either keep peddling, get off the bike or fall over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/you-can-either-keep-peddling-get-off-the-bike-or-fall-over/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Don't expect a stranger to wipe your nose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/don-t-expect-a-stranger-to-wipe-your-nose/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [The path you're on looks different when you turn around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/the-path-you-re-on-looks-different-when-you-turn-around/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [You don't get to decide your part in the school play, but you do get to decide whether or not you play it well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/you-don-t-get-to-decide-your-part-in-the-school-play-but-you-do-get/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [The teacher can always tell when you did your homework on the bus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/the-teacher-can-always-tell-when-you-did-your-homework-on-the-bus/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [A tiny hole can empty a great big bucket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/a-tiny-hole-can-empty-a-great-big-bucket/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Don't say "The last one there is a rotten egg": unless you're absolutely sure there's a slow kid behind you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/don-t-say-the-last-one-there-is-a-rotten-egg-unless-you-re-absolutely/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Look at the footprints you've made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/look-at-the-footprints-you-ve-made/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Hitting the kid with the ball might get you the ball, but it won't get you anyone to throw it to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/hitting-the-kid-with-the-ball-might-get-you-the-ball-but-it-won-t-get/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [Believing in the Tooth Fairy is easier than trying to figure out how else the money gets under your pillow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/believing-in-the-tooth-fairy-is-easier-than-trying-to-figure-out-how/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) > [If you keep missing, get closer to the basket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/if-you-keep-missing-get-closer-to-the-basket/) [Cynthia Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) [Explore all 43 Cynthia Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/) ## 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": "One thing you can't pretend to be is funny.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cynthia Lewis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-funny/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comedy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-funny/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66a/cynthia-lewis-15443_funny_one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-fun_1452767.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One thing you can't pretend to be is funny.” — Cynthia Lewis", "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": "Cynthia Lewis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-lewis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "One thing you can't pretend to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-funny/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-lewis/one-thing-you-can-t-pretend-to-be-is-funny/#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 } } ] } ```