Funny Alan Bennett Quotes, born May 9, 1934, in Leeds, England, is an English playwright, author, actor, and screenwriter celebrated for his razor-sharp wit and humorous takes on British life. Known for works like The History Boys (2004), The Madness of George III (1991), and Talking Heads (1988, 1998), Bennett masterfully blends comedy with social observation. His droll humor shines in his plays, monologues, and diaries. These 15 funny quotes—sourced from his plays, books, interviews, and public statements—reflect his knack for finding humor in the mundane and absurd, capturing his cheeky and irreverent spirit.
15 Funny Alan Bennett Quotes
- “We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn’t obey the rules.” (Getting On, 1972)
- “If you think squash is a competitive activity, try flower arranging.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I’m all in favour of free expression provided it’s kept rigidly in check.” (Forty Years On, 1969)
- “My mother used to say, Delia, if sex ever rears its ugly head, close your eyes before you see the rest of it.” (Bedroom Farce: A Comedy In Two Acts, 1975)
- “Standards are always out of date. That’s what makes them standards.” (Forty Years On, 1969)
- “I lack originality, which is why I’m a writer.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get, but it’s likely to be disappointing.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2014)
- “I’ve never understood the point of ecstasy. I think if I wanted to get dehydrated and jump about with a load of people I’ve never met before I could go to a Methodist barn dance.” (Diary, Writing Home, 1994)
- “Clichés can be quite fun. That’s how they got to be clichés.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “I don’t like opera; I don’t like ballet; I don’t like football; I don’t like anything that most people like.” (Diary, Writing Home, 1994)
- “It’s like trying to explain abroad that a kipper is not just a fish but a way of life.” (Enjoy, 1980)
- “Many a friendship has foundered on the rock of a borrowed book.” (The Uncommon Reader, 2007)
- “The more you read, the more you realize how little you know, which is why I don’t read much.” (Interview, Goodreads, n.d.)
- “I’m not good at confrontation. I’d rather write a play about it than have it out in person.” (Interview, The Independent, 2009)
- “A postcard of Monet’s water lilies is not a water lily, just as a recipe for soup is not soup.” (The History Boys, 2004)
Alan Bennett’s funny quotes are a cheeky cocktail of satire, silliness, and sharp-witted charm, inspiring fans to laugh at life’s quirks and embrace the absurd. Which one’s got you chuckling at the human condition? Drop it in the comments and keep Bennett’s comedic legacy tickling!
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