A wonderful thing about true laughter is that it just destroys any kind of system of dividing people.
—John Cleese
Play can only take place if it’s separate from ordinary life. Settle all those thoughts about the things you ought to be doing rather than trying to be creative. And then toss ideas around. Just start.
—John Cleese
If I like chocolate it won’t surprise you that I have a few chocolates in my fridge, but if you find out I’ve got 16 warehouses full of chocolate, you’d think I was insane. All these rich guys are insane, obsessive compulsive twits obsessed with money—money is all they think about—they’re all nuts.
—John Cleese
Because these people are operating at a very very low level of mental health, they are incapable of understanding the teaching.
—John Cleese
I can certainly see that you know your wine. Most of the guests who stay here would not know the difference between Bordeaux and Claret.
—John Cleese
Topics: Wine
I’m struck by how laughter connects you with people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just howling with laughter. Laughter is a force for democracy.
—John Cleese
For some it [comedy] might merely be a foolish infatuation, but for me—it’s the real thing.
—John Cleese
If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it you acknowledge its truth.
—John Cleese
Topics: Laughter
Creativity is almost always: unlearned. Ask young children, “Are you creative?” They’ll all raise a hand. By age 16, none of them will because they’ve had their creativity gently squeezed out of them by those who think conventionally.
—John Cleese
If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.
—John Cleese
Topics: Work
He who laughs most learns best.
—John Cleese
When you get to my age, and I’m 66 now, you realize that the world is a madhouse and that most people are operating in fantasy anyway. So once you realize that, it doesn’t bother you much.
—John Cleese
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Daniel Day-Lewis English Actor
- Patrick Stewart British Actor
- Stephen Fry English Actor, Writer
- Roger Moore English Actor
- Harry Lloyd British Actor
- Michael Palin English Actor, Writer, Television Traveler
- John Gielgud British Actor, Director
- Alec Guinness English Actor
- Cedric Hardwicke English Actor
- Julie Andrews British Actress, Singer
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