Comedy Quote by Robert Benchley
“Defining and analyzing humor is a pastime of humorless people.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1935
Analyzing humor reduces it to a technical exercise, stripping its spontaneity.
In simple terms: Studying humor can make it less funny.
Enjoy humor without over‑analysis.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- comedy writing
- social interactions
- teaching
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does analysis enhance humor?
- Can humor be both studied and enjoyed?
Over‑analysis may kill the fun.