Barry Humphries Quotes: The Wit and Wisdom of a Comic Genius

Barry Humphries, the legendary Australian comedian and satirist, is a name synonymous with unmatched humor, social commentary, and incredible talent. Known most famously for his personas such as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, Humphries has offered a treasure trove of sharp and memorable quotes over his prolific career. His wit goes beyond his characters, providing a brilliant blend of satire, cultural observation, and unabashed honesty. In this article, we celebrate the comedic brilliance of Barry Humphries by diving into some of his most unforgettable quotes, exploring the insightful and hilarious themes behind them.

 

Who is Barry Humphries?

Barry Humphries is an Australian actor, comedian, author, and artist, best known for his surreal and often biting humor. Born in Melbourne in 1934, Humphries brought his own brand of satire to the entertainment industry, ultimately becoming an international phenomenon. His alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, became a global icon, beloved for her over-the-top outfits, blue-rinsed hair, and her penchant for calling people “possums.” Sir Les Patterson, another memorable Humphries creation, is a parody of an obnoxious Australian cultural attaché whose crude humor often served as biting social commentary.

Humphries’s unique ability to satirize society, politics, and celebrities, while still remaining immensely entertaining, has made him an influential figure in comedy. His humor, which often walks the fine line between being critical and playful, is best encapsulated in his countless memorable quotes.

 

Dame Edna’s Hilarious Observations

One cannot mention Barry Humphries without Dame Edna, his most famous persona. Through Dame Edna’s voice, Humphries offered numerous nuggets of comedic gold that have stood the test of time. Here are some of the most noteworthy Dame Edna quotes that reflect both humor and deep social observation:

• “Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century.”

  This is one of Dame Edna’s most insightful remarks. It is a reminder that self-deprecation can be liberating, especially in a society obsessed with appearances. Through Dame Edna, Humphries encourages us all to lighten up and find humor in our own flaws and eccentricities.

• “My hobbies are gardening, painting, and the obliteration of international terrorism.”

  The beauty of this quote lies in its absurdity. Humphries masterfully juxtaposes mundane, domestic hobbies with a dramatic and globally significant activity. This demonstrates his knack for satirical juxtaposition — poking fun at how some people overestimate their personal influence on major world events.

• “I think of myself as a lovely old lady, with a few sharp edges, and maybe a few missing marbles.”

  This quote captures the charm of Dame Edna’s character — unapologetically witty while also acknowledging her eccentric nature. It’s an honest yet humorous depiction of how Dame Edna sees herself, illustrating Humphries’s ability to infuse humility into his humor.

 

The Sharp Tongue of Sir Les Patterson

Another iconic creation of Barry Humphries is Sir Les Patterson, a character that allowed Humphries to use humor as a form of blunt social criticism. Sir Les Patterson was crass, crude, and politically incorrect — and therein lay the character’s appeal. Here are a few notable quotes from Sir Les Patterson:

• “The world is run by people who know the right people, not by people who know the right things.”

  This quote illustrates Humphries’s sharp commentary on nepotism and power dynamics in society. Through Sir Les, Humphries points out that sometimes success is more about who you know than what you know. It’s a biting reminder of the reality behind many power structures.

• “I enjoy the company of people who can laugh at themselves. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you might miss the joke.”

  Sir Les Patterson’s humor often dealt with how humans take themselves too seriously. Here, Humphries uses Sir Les to make a statement about the importance of humility, while encouraging people to see themselves through a humorous lens.

 

Barry Humphries’ Insights Beyond His Characters

Beyond his well-known personas, Barry Humphries himself is an astute observer of society, capable of sharing truths in the most humorous of ways. Here are a few quotes directly from the man himself that are sure to resonate:

• “Australia is an island surrounded by water. My fondest wish is that it should be surrounded by love.”

  This heartwarming quote reflects Humphries’ love for his homeland. While he often poked fun at Australia and its idiosyncrasies, it was always done with a sense of endearment. His genuine wish for Australia to be a welcoming place speaks to the softer side of his humor.

• “Most of my contemporaries at school entered the world of conservative business, but I was far more interested in satire — and doing something different.”

  Humphries was never one to follow the status quo. This quote provides insight into his path to comedy and shows why he was so successful: he didn’t conform. Instead, he created something unique that people across the globe loved.

 

Humor as Social Commentary

One of Barry Humphries’ many talents was using humor as social commentary. He brought to light social truths by making people laugh — a skill that requires both intelligence and a fearless approach. Through both Dame Edna and Sir Les, he managed to hold up a mirror to society, pointing out its foibles in a way that was amusing but also deeply thought-provoking.

For example, Dame Edna’s extravagant personality and her knack for making light of celebrities was a subtle dig at the obsession with fame. Her often outrageous remarks shined a light on the artifice of celebrity culture. Meanwhile, Sir Les’s character underscored the pitfalls of power and the misbehavior of politicians.

 

Legacy of Barry Humphries’ Wit

Barry Humphries has left an indelible mark on the world of comedy. His humor transcends generations, with each quote carrying a message that is as relevant today as it was when first uttered. The brilliance of his humor lies in its multi-layered nature — a surface-level joke often hiding a much deeper meaning. Barry Humphries made comedy that wasn’t just funny; it was also reflective, challenging, and insightful.

Whether through Dame Edna’s flamboyant extravagance or Sir Les’s crude humor, Humphries was never afraid to challenge social norms and take on serious topics through the lens of comedy. His wit is something that resonates with people from all walks of life, making his work both universal and timeless.

 

Why Barry Humphries’ Quotes Still Resonate Today

In a world that has become increasingly serious and divided, Barry Humphries’ humor serves as a reminder of the power of laughter. His quotes continue to resonate because they touch on aspects of the human condition that are universal: the absurdity of fame, the quirks of politicians, and the importance of being able to laugh at oneself.

Humphries’ ability to strike the perfect balance between irreverence and affection is why his quotes have remained impactful. They are not just about getting a laugh — they are about making us think. They prompt us to question societal norms, laugh at our own absurdities, and never take life too seriously.

 

Final Thoughts on Barry Humphries’ Genius

Barry Humphries is more than just a comedian; he is a master of the human psyche, an artist who used humor as his canvas to depict society’s strengths and flaws. His quotes reflect an incredible depth of thought, and his wit goes beyond the characters he portrayed. The humor of Barry Humphries lies not only in his brilliant one-liners but in his ability to weave humor into the very fabric of life’s complexities.

Whether through the hilarious observations of Dame Edna or the biting satire of Sir Les Patterson, Humphries provided us with a unique perspective on the world, one that allows us to laugh at life even when it seems most challenging. His work is a celebration of humor, creativity, and the power of being unabashedly oneself. Barry Humphries’ quotes remind us that laughter is indeed the best medicine, and that sometimes, the only way to deal with the absurdity of life is to embrace it with open arms and a hearty chuckle.

Phrases

01. Never be afraid to laugh at yourself; after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century.

02. Australia is an outdoor country. People only go inside to use the toilet. And that’s only a recent development.

03. New Zealand is a country of thirty thousand million sheep, three million of whom think they are human.

04. I drift along, thinking about the past a great deal. The past is so reliable, so delightful, and the best place to live.

05. My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet.

06. The truth is deafening, no matter how softly it is spoken.

07. To live in Australia permanently is rather like going to a party and dancing all night with one’s mother.

08. I was born with a priceless gift, the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others.

09. It’s an old Aboriginal word meaning ‘Let’s get together and have fun’. They gave us the word because they had no further need for it.

10. I have outlived most of my more athletic contemporaries who jogged, golfed, and squashed themselves into coronary occlusion.

11. I’ve decided the secret of parenting is benevolent neglect.

12. He’s very, very well-known. I’d say he’s world-famous in Melbourne.

13. The whole point of art, aside from the aesthetic pleasure it yields, is that it provides a bridge to the past; that seductive land where we all find certainty and consolation.

14. If you have to explain satire to someone, you might as well give up.

15. I’m an immensely shy and vulnerable woman. My husband has never seen me naked. Nor has he expressed the least desire to do so.

16. My parents were very pleased that I was in the army. The fact that I hated it somehow pleased them even more.

17. Friendship is tested in the thick years of success rather than in the thin years of struggle.

18. I think a lot of people think that we [comedians] are nerveless people in the theatre, that we don’t feel that kind of terror which traditionally anyone who has to do any public speaking feels.

19. The past is so reliable, so delightful, and the best place to live.

20. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you may be missing the colossal joke of the century.

21. Everyone had a Japanese maple, although after Pearl Harbor most of these were patriotically poisoned, ringbarked, and extirpated.

22. Sex is the most beautiful thing that can take place between a happily married man and his secretary.

23. Sport is a loathsome and dangerous pursuit.

24. I love Australia—I think.

25. I know body hair bothers some women, but a lot of men like a fluffy partner.

26. There is no more terrible fate for a comedian than to be taken seriously.

27. Most of my contemporaries at school entered the World of Business, the logical destiny of bores.

28. I like people who are slightly unhygienic. A little grubbiness isn’t so bad.

29. Political correctness means nothing to me. Nothing. It’s the new Puritanism, darling.

30. Peter Cook and Dudley Moore were friends and the last people I expected would predecease me.

31. When people laugh at me, they are not laughing in the way that they normally would at a comedian.

32. I have charity work that I do. I started my own charity, the Friends of the Prostate.

33. People only watch my shows for me, and those shows have remained evergreen long after the guests are forgotten.

34. I have got to the point in my life when a lot of people I know have died or are dying.

35. I suffer greatly from nerves. I have stage-fright badly, and it gets worse, but the stage is still my life.

36. I denied this for many, many years and years… but you cannot help but not see a little of my mother in the character of Edna.

37. I think of myself as an actor. The duty of an actor is to be able to impersonate anything—a child, an old man, a tree, a chair, a woman.

38. I’ve played Beckett. I put on in the 1950s the first Australian production of ‘Waiting for Godot.’

39. I have beautiful, beautiful clothes, designed by my bachelor boy son, Kenny.

40. One of the strangest experiences one can have is to sleep on stage.

41. I really feel sorry for kids who aren’t interested in history—recent history, either, because it is this that made us what we are.

42. I’ve never looked at my Facebook page or my website, because I’m fundamentally an amateur.

43. I am writing a book called ‘The History of Australia in Hundred Objects.’

44. Glamour comes from within. My beauty regime begins with my personality.

45. Am I old-fashioned? I think I might be.

46. My husband passed away a long time ago, and of course a lot of people have courted me.

47. I’ve decided the secret of parenting is benevolent neglect.

48. In Australia, they really want to turn me into a religion.

49. I’ve turned from an ordinary Australian housewife into a gigastar, icon, talk-show host, swami, spin doctor…

50. I Sellotape whole tins of sardines to my face at night, attach two squeezed lemon rinds to my armadillo-skinned elbows, and put cucumber on my eyes.

rdinary their circumstances.