Comedian Quote by George Carlin
“Pacifism is a nice idea but it can get you killed. We're not there yet. Evolution is slow, small pox is fast.”
About This Quote
Source Stand-up: "Jammin' Man", 1992
Pacifism sounds ideal but can be dangerous; change is slow while threats act quickly.
In simple terms: Idealism can be risky; change is slow.
Key Takeaway
Balance ideals with practical safety.
Themes
peace
realism
risk
change
evolution
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- political debate
- personal safety
- public policy
Key Concepts
pacifism
evolution
danger
Questions to Reflect On
- How can pacifists protect themselves?
- When is compromise necessary?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may ignore immediate dangers.
![“I thought, how would I feel if my son gave one of those [underprivileged] kids chicken pox? For him it's not a terrible thing. We have good insurance and easy access to health care. It's a different situation for another family. I didn't want to make the decision for them.” quote by Eula Biss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16f/eula-biss-12946_access_i-thought-how-would-i-feel-if-my-son-gav_754757.jpg)
![“Depressions are very cyclical, they happen once every five years. When I was on TV, yes I was effervescent, you can't fake it. It [depression] comes like the pox.” quote by Ruby Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/715/ruby-wax-18576_depression_depressions-are-very-cyclical-they-happe_616519.jpg)
![“I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and all that type of bullshit, going up there and doing a flat 20 [minutes]. I reckon I'd have better stagecraft and presence than Jesus. Yea, I'm a better stand-up comedian than…” quote by Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0fb/jim-jefferies-8092_blessed_i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same_24477.jpg)
