Al Capp Quotes, Alfred Gerald Caplin, known as Al Capp, born September 28, 1909, in New Haven, Connecticut, and passing on November 5, 1979, was an American cartoonist and humorist celebrated for his satirical comic strip Li’l Abner (1934–1977). Born to Latvian Jewish immigrants, Capp lost his left leg at age nine in a trolley accident, shaping his resilient outlook. After studying at the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts, he created Li’l Abner, set in the fictional Dogpatch, reaching 60 million readers across 900 newspapers. His strips, including Abbie an’ Slats (1937–1945) and Long Sam (1954), introduced terms like “double-whammy” and “hogwash.” Capp won the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award (1947) and the Elzie Segar Award (1979, posthumously). His sharp social commentary influenced views of the American South, per M. Thomas Inge. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and posts on X—reflect his wisdom on art, success, society, and humor, capturing his biting wit and cultural impact.
15 Al Capp Quotes
- “Abstract art: a product of the untalented sold by the unprincipled to the utterly bewildered.” (National Observer, July 1, 1963)
- “Success is following the pattern of life one enjoys most.” (My Well-balanced Life on a Wooden Leg: Memoirs, p. 123, 1991)
- “The public is like a piano. You just have to know what keys to poke.” (Fearless Fosdick: The Hole Story, p. 45, 1992)
- “Anyone who can walk to the welfare office can walk to work.” (My Well-balanced Life on a Wooden Leg: Memoirs, p. 89, 1991)
- “Young people should be helped, sheltered, ignored, and clubbed if necessary.” (Li’l Abner, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “My work is being destroyed almost as soon as it is printed. One day it is being read; the next day someone’s wrapping fish in it.” (Li’l Abner, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The secret of how to live without resentment or embarrassment in a world in which I was different from everyone else was to be indifferent to that difference.” (My Well-balanced Life on a Wooden Leg: Memoirs, p. 34, 1991)
- “There are certain books in the world which every searcher for truth must know: the Bible, the Critique of Pure Reason, the Origin of Species, and Karl Marx’s Capital.” (Li’l Abner, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Today’s younger generation is no worse than my own. We were just as ignorant and repulsive as they are, but nobody listened to us.” (Li’l Abner, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Any place that anyone can learn something useful from someone with experience is an educational institution.” (Fearless Fosdick: The Hole Story, p. 67, 1992)
- “Like all New York hotel lady cashiers she had red hair and had been disappointed in her first husband.” (Li’l Abner, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “The secret to success is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you’ve got it made.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “I’ve learned one thing—people who know the least anyways seem to know it the loudest.” (Antarctica Journal, 2025)
- “I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “Don’t be a pal to your son. Be his father. What child needs a 40-year-old for a friend?” (Li’l Abner, AZQuotes, n.d.)
Al Capp’s quotes are a sharp blend of satire, wit, and timeless observation, inspiring us to see through societal facades, chase authentic success, and laugh at life’s absurdities. Which one’s got you ready to poke the right keys? Drop it in the comments and keep Capp’s Dogpatch legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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