Comedian Quote by W. C. Fields
“Thou shalt not steal-only from other comedians.”
About This Quote
Source Film: The Bank Dick, 1940
Comedy should be original; borrowing jokes from peers is unethical.
In simple terms: Stealing jokes is wrong.
Key Takeaway
Respect other comedians’ material.
Themes
ethics
comedy
originality
Mood
playful
critical
Type
humorous
philosophical
When to use this quote
- stand‑up shows
- writing rooms
- online memes
- improv workshops
Key Concepts
intellectual property
creative integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- Where is the line between homage and theft?
- Can parody be ethical?
A Different Perspective
Some humor relies on shared cultural references, blurring lines.
![“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)
