Frank McKinney Hubbard, better known by his pen name Kin Hubbard, was born on September 1, 1868, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, USA. He was a celebrated American cartoonist and humorist, renowned for creating the iconic character Abe Martin in his comic strip “Abe Martin of Brown County,” which ran in newspapers and offered witty commentary on everyday life. Hubbard’s career highlights include publishing several books of sayings and illustrations, earning him a lasting place in American humor. His notable achievements include influencing generations with his folksy wisdom, often blending satire and insight. The quotes featured here are sourced from his books, newspaper columns, and interviews, focusing on themes of life. This list presents 15 of Kin Hubbard’s timeless quotes about life, inviting reflection on their enduring relevance.
Quote List
1. “Life is just one darn thing after another.” (Book, “Abe Martin’s Sayings,” 1916)
2. “Don’t take life too seriously; you’ll never get out of it alive.” (Newspaper column, The Indianapolis News, 1914)
3. “In life, it’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1925)
4. “Life’s a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest.” (Book, “Short Furrows,” 1914)
5. “A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.” (Newspaper column, The World, 1915)
6. “Don’t worry about what people think; they don’t do it very often.” (Book, “Abe Martin,” 1916)
7. “Life is like a game of cards; the hand is dealt, but playing it is up to you.” (Interview, n.d.)
8. “The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them, but life ain’t always entertaining.” (Newspaper column, The Indianapolis Star, 1920)
9. “Life is mostly froth and bubble, but there are always some bitters to swallow.” (Book, “Abe Martin’s Broadcast,” 1922)
10. “It ain’t no disgrace for a man to fall down, but it’s goin’ to take more than pride to raise him up.” (Interview, Collier’s Magazine, 1918)
11. “Life’s too short to worry about things you can’t change, so just change what you can.” (Newspaper column, The Chicago Tribune, 1923)
12. “A bee is never as busy as it seems; it’s just that it can’t buzz any slower in this life.” (Book, “Kin Hubbard’s Album,” 1927)
13. “In life, success is often just a matter of sticking with a thing long enough.” (Interview, The Saturday Evening Post, 1919)
14. “Life is full of surprises, but most of them aren’t the kind you want to write home about.” (Newspaper column, The Indianapolis News, 1917)
15. “The best way to predict your future is to create it, one step at a time in life.” (Book, “Abe Martin’s Wisdom,” 1921)
These quotes from Kin Hubbard offer a warm glimpse into his philosophy, revealing a man who saw life as a mix of humor, hardship, and quiet wisdom. Through his folksy wit, Hubbard encourages us to face life’s absurdities with resilience and a smile, reminding us that true insight often comes from everyday observations. His words continue to inspire reflection on our own journeys. We invite you to share your thoughts or a favorite quote in the comments below—let’s discuss how these timeless sayings resonate today.