I still do not understand how a corporation can have person-hood if it has no soul and never dies.
Jon StewartRead
There are a hell of a lot of jobs that are scarier than live comedy. Like standing in the operating room when a guy's heart stops, and you're the one who has to fix it!
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the fearlessness required in live comedy compared to more intense, high-stakes professions.
Jon Stewart's quote emphasizes the relativity of fear in different professions. While live comedy can feel daunting due to the unpredictability of audience reactions, it pales in comparison to the pressure faced by medical professionals who must make life-or-death decisions in critical situations. The humor lies in the exaggeration that comedy is a serious challenge, but it puts into perspective the responsibilities of those in high-pressure jobs.
Themes
ComedyFearJobsPressurePerspective
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about facing fears, you could use this quote to lighten the mood.
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All quotes βPresident Bush announced his new economic plan. The centerpiece was a proposed repeal of the dividend tax on stocks, a boon that could be worth millions of dollars to average Americans. Well, average stock-owning Americans. Technically, Americans who own a significant amount of shares in dividend-dealing companies. Well, rich people, that's what I'm trying to say. They're going to do really well with this.
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Wait a minute! Wait a minute! I figured this out. I know what's wrong with what we've done in Iraq. We've been following time as it goes forward. What a classic mistake. Linear time is so pre-9-11.
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You just have to keep trying to do good work, and hope that it leads to more good work. I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything. Yes, I want to look back and know that I was terrible at a variety of things.
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If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies.
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Thomas Jefferson once said: 'Of course the people don't want war. But the people can be brought to the bidding of their leader. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked and denounce the pacifists for somehow a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.' I think that was Jefferson. Oh wait. That was Hermann Goering. Shoot." [Hosting the Peabody Awards for broadcasting excellence at the New York Waldorf-Astoria, June 6, 2006]
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