--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a clown, we see what we do that makes…" description: "\"In a clown, we see what we do that makes us laugh and cry. I kept the white face, the tradition of the Pierrot. My clown became a romantic and stylized..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/marcel-marceau-16545_face_in-a-clown-we-see-what-we-do-that-makes_855718.jpg" --- # In a clown, we see what we do that makes us laugh and cry… ![“In a clown, we see what we do that makes us laugh and cry. I kept the white face, the tradition of the Pierrot. My clown became a romantic and stylized figure. I wanted to be an abstract and concrete figure, a symbol of humanity.” quote by Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/marcel-marceau-16545_face_in-a-clown-we-see-what-we-do-that-makes_855718.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/marcel-marceau-16545_face_in-a-clown-we-see-what-we-do-that-makes_855718.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e61/marcel-marceau-16545_face_in-a-clown-we-see-what-we-do-that-makes_855718.jpg) > “In a clown, we see what we do that makes us laugh and cry. I kept the white face, the tradition of the Pierrot. My clown became a romantic and stylized figure. I wanted to be an abstract and concrete figure, a symbol of humanity.” [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marceau describes his clown as a universal human symbol, blending abstract and concrete elements to evoke both joy and sorrow. **In simple terms:** Clown reflects humanity’s mixed emotions. Key Takeaway Use art to explore human duality. Themes art humanity emotion symbolism Mood reflective melancholic Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - theatre - personal expression - cultural heritage Key Concepts mime performance identity Questions to Reflect On - How does a clown convey complex feelings? - What symbols resonate with you? A Different Perspective May be too abstract for some audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clown/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Romantic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romantic/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [It's my job to be the Pierrot, the clown, in the theatrical sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/it-s-my-job-to-be-the-pierrot-the-clown-in-the-theatrical-sense/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [“I stood and looked at the large framed painting of the Pierrot clown that hung on her wall and sympathised with the tears that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-munroe/i-stood-and-looked-at-the-large-framed-painting-of-the-pierrot-clown/) Eileen Munroe > [I had a dream that a clown named dimples keep leaving the radio on in my room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-that-a-clown-named-dimples-keep-leaving-the-radio-on-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If i'm gonna be described as a clown for my actions, I might aswell be a whole circus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bee/if-i-m-gonna-be-described-as-a-clown-for-my-actions-i-might-aswell-be/) [Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bee/) > [Writing is for men who can think and feel, not mindless sensation seekers out of nightclubs and bars. But these are bad times. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naguib-mahfouz/writing-is-for-men-who-can-think-and-feel-not-mindless-sensation/) [Naguib Mahfouz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naguib-mahfouz/) > [When I first started getting into acting, I was doing improv in acting class, and I had done a serious monologue and everyone was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/when-i-first-started-getting-into-acting-i-was-doing-improv-in-acting/) [Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/) > [Circus clown. That's a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/circus-clown-that-s-a-new-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You see, this heart, won't settle down; just like a child, running, scared, from a clown. Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/you-see-this-heart-won-t-settle-down-just-like-a-child-running-scared/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [You know, I was the class clown in Catholic school, but I never thought I would make a living out of it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-vergara/you-know-i-was-the-class-clown-in-catholic-school-but-i-never-thought/) [Sofia Vergara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-vergara/) > [He's fat and a clown, Bill, a fat clown for all to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-dunphy/he-s-fat-and-a-clown-bill-a-fat-clown-for-all-to-see/) [Eamon Dunphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-dunphy/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [When fighting clowns, always go for the juggler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/when-fighting-clowns-always-go-for-the-juggler/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [I wanted to be a clown when I was a kid, so I love interacting and goofing around with kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stonestreet/i-wanted-to-be-a-clown-when-i-was-a-kid-so-i-love-interacting-and/) [Eric Stonestreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stonestreet/) > [There are two types of people in this world. People who hate clowns...and clowns. (Bobby Pendragon)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-j-machale-2/there-are-two-types-of-people-in-this-world-people-who-hate-clowns/) [D. J. MacHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-j-machale-2/) > [“October 3, 2017 The clown, Hagarty said, looked like a cross between Ronald McDonald and that old TV clown, Bozo—or so he thought at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/october-3-2017-the-clown-hagarty-said-looked-like-a-cross-between/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) ## More by Marcel Marceau > [I have designed my style pantomimes as white ink drawings on black backgrounds, so that man's destiny appears as a thread lost in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-have-designed-my-style-pantomimes-as-white-ink-drawings-on-black/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [I was brought up in a Jewish home, but I was brought up to be human - not fanatical, which is something that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-was-brought-up-in-a-jewish-home-but-i-was-brought-up-to-be-human/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [All wars are criminal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/all-wars-are-criminal/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [To communicate through silence is a link between the thoughts of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/to-communicate-through-silence-is-a-link-between-the-thoughts-of-man/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [A mime is a terrible thing to waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/a-mime-is-a-terrible-thing-to-waste/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [Mime is an art beyond words. It is the art of the essential. And you cannot lie. You have to show the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/mime-is-an-art-beyond-words-it-is-the-art-of-the-essential-and-you/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [I wouldn't imagine I would become famous in America for my talk shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-wouldn-t-imagine-i-would-become-famous-in-america-for-my-talk-shows/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [I started under my master, Etienne Decroux, who taught me a new grammar for mime he called statuary mime. This grammar brings style creations.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-started-under-my-master-etienne-decroux-who-taught-me-a-new-grammar/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [Mime makes the invisible, visible and the visible, invisible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/mime-makes-the-invisible-visible-and-the-visible-invisible/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [Mime, like music, knows neither borders nor nationalities,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/mime-like-music-knows-neither-borders-nor-nationalities/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [A magician makes the visible invisible. A mime makes the invisible visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/a-magician-makes-the-visible-invisible-a-mime-makes-the-invisible/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [I am a company in myself. My repertoire has become a bible for all mimes in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-am-a-company-in-myself-my-repertoire-has-become-a-bible-for-all/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [When you're in a play, 50 percent is the genius of the actor, 50 percent is the genius of the author. When a mime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/when-you-re-in-a-play-50-percent-is-the-genius-of-the-actor-50/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [I don't want our youth to become anti-romantic. We have to make room for the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/i-don-t-want-our-youth-to-become-anti-romantic-we-have-to-make-room/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) > [Silence is like a flame, you see?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-marceau/silence-is-like-a-flame-you-see/) [Marcel Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) [Explore all 39 Marcel Marceau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-marceau/) ## More Clown quotes > [“October 3, 2017 The clown, Hagarty said, looked like a cross between Ronald McDonald and that old TV clown, Bozo—or so he thought at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/october-3-2017-the-clown-hagarty-said-looked-like-a-cross-between/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [There are two types of people in this world. People who hate clowns...and clowns. (Bobby Pendragon)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-j-machale-2/there-are-two-types-of-people-in-this-world-people-who-hate-clowns/) [D. J. MacHale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-j-machale-2/) > [I wanted to be a clown when I was a kid, so I love interacting and goofing around with kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-stonestreet/i-wanted-to-be-a-clown-when-i-was-a-kid-so-i-love-interacting-and/) [Eric Stonestreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-stonestreet/) > [When fighting clowns, always go for the juggler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/when-fighting-clowns-always-go-for-the-juggler/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [He's fat and a clown, Bill, a fat clown for all to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eamon-dunphy/he-s-fat-and-a-clown-bill-a-fat-clown-for-all-to-see/) [Eamon Dunphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eamon-dunphy/) > [You know, I was the class clown in Catholic school, but I never thought I would make a living out of it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-vergara/you-know-i-was-the-class-clown-in-catholic-school-but-i-never-thought/) [Sofia Vergara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-vergara/) > [You see, this heart, won't settle down; just like a child, running, scared, from a clown. Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/you-see-this-heart-won-t-settle-down-just-like-a-child-running-scared/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Circus clown. That's a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/circus-clown-that-s-a-new-one/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I first started getting into acting, I was doing improv in acting class, and I had done a serious monologue and everyone was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-teller/when-i-first-started-getting-into-acting-i-was-doing-improv-in-acting/) [Miles Teller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-teller/) > [Writing is for men who can think and feel, not mindless sensation seekers out of nightclubs and bars. But these are bad times. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naguib-mahfouz/writing-is-for-men-who-can-think-and-feel-not-mindless-sensation/) [Naguib Mahfouz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naguib-mahfouz/) > [“If i'm gonna be described as a clown for my actions, I might aswell be a whole circus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bee/if-i-m-gonna-be-described-as-a-clown-for-my-actions-i-might-aswell-be/) [Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bee/) > [I had a dream that a clown named dimples keep leaving the radio on in my room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-that-a-clown-named-dimples-keep-leaving-the-radio-on-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Is that love? It seems like a pale word, too easily tossed about by people who don’t know the meaning of it, who twist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-aguirre/is-that-love-it-seems-like-a-pale-word-too-easily-tossed-about-by/) [Ann Aguirre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-aguirre/) > [I'm an actor, not a clown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wilder/i-m-an-actor-not-a-clown/) [Gene Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wilder/) [Browse all 837 Clown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clown/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In a clown, we see what we do that makes us laugh and cry. I kept the white face, the tradition of the Pierrot. My clown became a romantic and stylized figure. 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