I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food. He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.
Johnny CarsonRead
People thought I was funny, so I kind of took entertaining for granted... it was inevitable that I'd start giving little performances.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Johnny Carson reflects on how he naturally fell into comedy due to people's perception of him as funny.
In this quote, Johnny Carson expresses that because others found him amusing, he became complacent about his talent for entertainment. He suggests that this recognition led him to spontaneously engage in performances, implying that the expectations of an audience can shape a person's actions and career path, often leading them to embrace their natural abilities more fully.
Themes
ComedyEntertainmentPerformancesFunnyAudience
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about discovering one's talents seemingly by accident.
More from Johnny Carson
All quotes βI couldn't care less what anybody says about me. I live my life, especially my personal life, strictly for myself... Whatever you do, you're going to be criticized. I feel the one sensible thing you can do is try to live in a way that pleases you.
Johnny CarsonRead
I am one of the lucky people in the world; I found something I always wanted to do, and I have enjoyed every single minute of it.
Johnny CarsonRead
Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place.
Johnny CarsonRead
The only thing money gives you is the freedom of not worrying about money.
Johnny CarsonRead
My success just evolved from working hard at the business at hand each day.
Johnny CarsonRead
Similar quotes
Madam, if you were my wife, I would drink it.
Winston ChurchillRead
It's useless to hold a person to anything he says while he's in love, drunk, or running for office.
Shirley MaclaineRead
A prohibitionist is the sort of man one couldn't care to drink with, even if he drank.
H. L. MenckenRead
The funny thing about our act is that dad gets the worst of it, although I'm the one who apparently receives the bruises [...] the secret is in landing limp and breaking the fall with a foot or a hand. It's a knack. I started so young that landing right is second nature with me. Several times I'd have been killed if I hadn't been able to land like a cat. Imitators of our act don't last long, because they can't stand the treatment.
Buster KeatonRead
Muggles have garden gnomes, too, you know," Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn. "Yeah, I've seen those things they think are gnomes," said Ron, bent double with his head in a peony bush, "like fat little Santa Clauses with fishing rods.
J. K. RowlingRead
MEDICINE, n. A stone flung down the Bowery to kill a dog in Broadway.
Ambrose BierceRead