--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think I identify as a comedian before…" description: "\"I think I identify as a comedian before kind of anything else. Before I identify as a person, as a human being with empathy.\" — Patti Harrison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/patti-harrison-6137_empathy_i-think-i-identify-as-a-comedian-before_1676850.jpg" --- # I think I identify as a comedian before kind of anything… ![“I think I identify as a comedian before kind of anything else. Before I identify as a person, as a human being with empathy.” quote by Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/patti-harrison-6137_empathy_i-think-i-identify-as-a-comedian-before_1676850.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/patti-harrison-6137_empathy_i-think-i-identify-as-a-comedian-before_1676850.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c4/patti-harrison-6137_empathy_i-think-i-identify-as-a-comedian-before_1676850.jpg) > “I think I identify as a comedian before kind of anything else. Before I identify as a person, as a human being with empathy.” [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humor is a primary lens through which we understand ourselves and others, preceding any other identity. **In simple terms:** Comedy shapes how we see ourselves. Key Takeaway Use humor to connect and empathize. Themes humor identity empathy self‑perception humanity Mood playful reflective warm Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - stand‑up performance - team building - conflict resolution - personal reflection Key Concepts social roles self‑concept emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How does comedy influence your empathy? - When do you prioritize humor over seriousness? A Different Perspective Humor can mask deeper issues if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-being/) ## Related quotes > [A comedian's a comedian. They're a very kind of cynical bunch. I guess that's why I like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/a-comedian-s-a-comedian-they-re-a-very-kind-of-cynical-bunch-i-guess/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I think I identify more with the smart guy, but most people might take umbrage at that. I like to think of myself as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/i-think-i-identify-more-with-the-smart-guy-but-most-people-might-take/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etta-james/even-as-a-little-child-i-ve-always-had-that-comedian-kind-of-attitude/) [Etta James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etta-james/) > [I think we identify ourselves by labels or things that we are able to do: I am this. I am a good cook. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-romney/i-think-we-identify-ourselves-by-labels-or-things-that-we-are-able-to/) [Ann Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-romney/) > [Because a human being is endowed with empathy, he violates the natural order if he does not reach out to those who need care.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dayananda-saraswati/because-a-human-being-is-endowed-with-empathy-he-violates-the-natural/) [Dayananda Saraswati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dayananda-saraswati/) > [Funny bones, to me, are more important than funny lines. If a comedian is just not likable and doing the lines, you could read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/funny-bones-to-me-are-more-important-than-funny-lines-if-a-comedian/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [Primarily affecting low-information voters and members of the mainstream media, Obama Worship Syndrome attributes impossible capabilities to Obama's political opponents, finds excuses for every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/primarily-affecting-low-information-voters-and-members-of-the/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [When the machine of a human being is turned on, it seems to produce a protagonist, just as a television produces an image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/when-the-machine-of-a-human-being-is-turned-on-it-seems-to-produce-a/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [He has the obligation to society that any human being has. I don't think a satirist has any greater obligation to society than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/he-has-the-obligation-to-society-that-any-human-being-has-i-don-t/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [So I'm sorry, I'm going to continue to talk to the people, because I do believe that if they get to know you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-torme/so-i-m-sorry-i-m-going-to-continue-to-talk-to-the-people-because-i-do/) [Mel Torme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-torme/) > [There is immense power in acknowledging the contribution of every human being in our life. One must constantly make the effort to absorb this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashish-vidyarthi/there-is-immense-power-in-acknowledging-the-contribution-of-every/) [Ashish Vidyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashish-vidyarthi/) > [There is no perfect human being out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-barton/there-is-no-perfect-human-being-out-there/) [Joey Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-barton/) > [I think what's hysterically funny is a guy who sets himself up as the most confident, everything's-perfect, know-it-all, things-are-swell human being and then gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-einstein/i-think-what-s-hysterically-funny-is-a-guy-who-sets-himself-up-as-the/) [Bob Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-einstein/) > [I want to be happy. We all want to be happy. I want to be treated like a normal human being, but I also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-alaina/i-want-to-be-happy-we-all-want-to-be-happy-i-want-to-be-treated-like/) [Lauren Alaina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-alaina/) > [I adore Kelly Bishop as a human being and as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-gunn/i-adore-kelly-bishop-as-a-human-being-and-as-an-actress/) [Sean Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-gunn/) ## More by Patti Harrison > [I don't think my relationship with the idea of womanhood is that attached to giving birth... like, I'm fully aware that I'll never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-don-t-think-my-relationship-with-the-idea-of-womanhood-is-that/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I just want people to know that. I'm not trying to make space for other trans women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-just-want-people-to-know-that-i-m-not-trying-to-make-space-for/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [There's like a little bit of a narcissism - I think there's more than a little bit of narcissism about it, but it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/there-s-like-a-little-bit-of-a-narcissism-i-think-there-s-more-than-a/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I'm always afraid to talk about stuff because I'm afraid to get ahead of myself or jinx something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-m-always-afraid-to-talk-about-stuff-because-i-m-afraid-to-get-ahead/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I shouldn't tell anyone that I can't drive or cook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-shouldn-t-tell-anyone-that-i-can-t-drive-or-cook/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [My mom is pretty unimpressed by everything. She loves black-and-white movies, and the only things she watches in color on T.V. are Judge Judy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/my-mom-is-pretty-unimpressed-by-everything-she-loves-black-and-white/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [It's fun to gossip and stuff. But once it's millions of people - the scale of that, I think, is more damaging to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/it-s-fun-to-gossip-and-stuff-but-once-it-s-millions-of-people-the/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [If Ohio was a food, it would be Benadryl. If Chicago was pizza, Ohio is Benadryl, or some sort of generic over-the-counter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/if-ohio-was-a-food-it-would-be-benadryl-if-chicago-was-pizza-ohio-is/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [People assume because you're a comedian that you want to be an actor or that you want to be a writer too. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/people-assume-because-you-re-a-comedian-that-you-want-to-be-an-actor/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [A lot of people tweet me things like, 'My 3-year-old son is trans and you inspire us.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/a-lot-of-people-tweet-me-things-like-my-3-year-old-son-is-trans-and/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [Cisgender people tend to want trans stories of triumph that are easy to metabolize. I want to make things that are subversive and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/cisgender-people-tend-to-want-trans-stories-of-triumph-that-are-easy/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I think I have more fun making jokes online and making stupid Instagram videos than I do in my real life, on stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-think-i-have-more-fun-making-jokes-online-and-making-stupid/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I've thought about my relationship to my body, my body dysmorphia, and what that means as someone who's like, 'Oh, I'm going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-ve-thought-about-my-relationship-to-my-body-my-body-dysmorphia-and/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [A lot of the stuff that I want to create personally is usually pretty absurd or silly comedy stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/a-lot-of-the-stuff-that-i-want-to-create-personally-is-usually-pretty/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I love coverage. My ideal dress would be a turtleneck that goes all the way up to my chin, and then sleeves that go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-love-coverage-my-ideal-dress-would-be-a-turtleneck-that-goes-all/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) [Explore all 100 Patti Harrison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) ## More Comedian quotes > [I would say most comedians have a very cynical worldview of the way the world can work. It's almost like if you didn't, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/i-would-say-most-comedians-have-a-very-cynical-worldview-of-the-way/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [At one point when I was very young, when I was first starting out, I thought, 'Well, one day I'll be able to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/at-one-point-when-i-was-very-young-when-i-was-first-starting-out-i/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [I like to turn up my collar when I'm leaving the theatre and feel like I'm some heroic comedian figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-skinner/i-like-to-turn-up-my-collar-when-i-m-leaving-the-theatre-and-feel/) [Frank Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-skinner/) > [The only difference between a comedian and someone else? We need to make people laugh more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-davies/the-only-difference-between-a-comedian-and-someone-else-we-need-to/) [Greg Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-davies/) > [When a soldier of the night's watch dies they say, "And now his watch is over." That's what they say when a comedian dies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-williams/when-a-soldier-of-the-night-s-watch-dies-they-say-and-now-his-watch/) [Brad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-williams/) > [My mom is two people to me. She's my mom number one, and then she's this lady most comedians know as being a legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/my-mom-is-two-people-to-me-she-s-my-mom-number-one-and-then-she-s/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) > [If I had a choice, I would rather watch a comedian not involve themselves in politics at all but be hilarious than someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-richardson/if-i-had-a-choice-i-would-rather-watch-a-comedian-not-involve/) [Jon Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-richardson/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same-era-as-jesus-after-he-gives/) [Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/) > [If someone doesn't like a comedian that's fine; a lot of people probably don't like my standup, and that's fine. But I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/if-someone-doesn-t-like-a-comedian-that-s-fine-a-lot-of-people/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [It's very rare that an older comedian sort of slips into an old-school clunker. You know, you don't hear too much of that anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/it-s-very-rare-that-an-older-comedian-sort-of-slips-into-an-old/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [I was a kid, and I would watch standup comics do the 'Tonight Show,' and if Johnny Carson liked you, he'd wave you over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-koy/i-was-a-kid-and-i-would-watch-standup-comics-do-the-tonight-show-and/) [Jo Koy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-koy/) > [Gary Greenberg is a thoughtful comedian and a cranky philosopher and a humble pest of a reporter, equal parts Woody Allen, Kierkegaard, and Columbo.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gideon-lewis-kraus/gary-greenberg-is-a-thoughtful-comedian-and-a-cranky-philosopher-and/) [Gideon Lewis-Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gideon-lewis-kraus/) > [For me, comedians are like the epitome for everything great, and they terrify me. I just want to be them. I want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-maslany/for-me-comedians-are-like-the-epitome-for-everything-great-and-they/) [Tatiana Maslany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-maslany/) > [No matter what town we went to, if there was a comedian playing, I'd go watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltrip/no-matter-what-town-we-went-to-if-there-was-a-comedian-playing-i-d-go/) [Michael Waltrip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltrip/) > [I'm a comedian who happens to be Latino. What's the difference? The difference is, my special will air on Comedy Central, not Telemundo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-iglesias/i-m-a-comedian-who-happens-to-be-latino-what-s-the-difference-the/) [Gabriel Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-iglesias/) [Browse all 1,775 Comedian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think I identify as a comedian before kind of anything else. 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