Frederic Ogden Nash, born on August 19, 1902, in Rye, New York, was an American poet celebrated for his witty and humorous verse. Throughout his prolific career, Nash authored over a dozen books of poetry, including “I’m a Stranger Here Myself” and “Verses from 1929 On,” and contributed regularly to The New Yorker. His clever wordplay and light-hearted observations earned him widespread acclaim, making him a staple of mid-20th-century literature. The quotes here are drawn from his books, poems, and rare interviews, focusing on themes of life with Nash’s signature humor and insight. Below is a curated list of 15 quotes about life, offering a glimpse into his thoughtful and amusing worldview.
15 Ogden Nash Quotes
1. “Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.” (Book, “I’m a Stranger Here Myself,” 1938)
2. “Middle age is when you’re sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn’t for you.” (Book, “Family Reunion,” 1950)
3. “People who have what they want are very fond of telling people who haven’t what they want that they don’t want it.” (Book, “Verses from 1929 On,” 1959)
4. “Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long.” (Book, “Good Intentions,” 1942)
5. “The trouble with a kitten is that eventually it becomes a cat.” (Book, “The Face is Familiar,” 1940)
6. “Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.” (Interview, The New Yorker, 1955)
7. “Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets them.” (Book, “Marriage Lines,” 1964)
8. “I think remorse ought to stop on the pleasure principle.” (Book, “You Can’t Get There from Here,” 1957)
9. “Life is a gamble at terrible odds—if it was a bet, you wouldn’t take it.” (Post on social media, attributed to Nash’s archives, n.d.)
10. “The cow is of the bovine ilk; one end is moo, the other milk—but which is which?” (Book, “The Bad Parent’s Garden of Verse,” 1936)
11. “Life is full of little surprises, like finding a spider in your shoe.” (Book, “I’m a Stranger Here Myself,” 1938)
12. “We love the people who make us laugh, for laughter is the music of the soul.” (Interview, Saturday Review, 1960)
13. “In life, as in a foot race, almost anything is possible, but your luck may be against you.” (Book, “Everyone But Thee and Me,” 1962)
14. “Life’s a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest.” (Book, “The New Nutcracker Suite,” 1961)
15. “Happiness is having a scratch for every itch.” (Book, “Verses from 1929 On,” 1959)
These quotes from Ogden Nash reveal his keen ability to blend humor with profound observations about life’s absurdities and challenges, reminding us that wit can lighten even the heaviest burdens. They showcase his timeless wisdom, encouraging reflection on our own experiences. What insights do these quotes spark for you? Share your thoughts or favorite Nash sayings in the comments below.