Portrait of Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle

Comedian

Contemporary influential 164 sayings

Sayings by Dave Chappelle

The worst thing to call somebody is crazy. It's dismissive. 'I don't understand this person, so they're crazy.' That's bulls---, man. These people are not crazy, they're just not like you.

2017 — Equanimity & The Bird Revelation (Netflix special)
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

I'm a very good liar. I could lie to you right now and you'd be like, 'Oh, that's a good story.'

2019 — Interview with Gayle King for CBS News
General Unverifiable

Sometimes the funniest thing to do is to be honest.

2006 — Inside the Actors Studio
General Unverifiable

You know, sometimes you don't even know you're racist. You just think you're being practical.

2004 — Chappelle's Show, 'Racial Draft' sketch
General Unverifiable

I'm not a politician. I'm a comedian. I'm not here to tell you what to think. I'm here to make you think.

2019 — The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
General Unverifiable

The only thing worse than a man who talks too much is a man who doesn't talk at all.

Unknown — Unidentified stand-up set
General Unverifiable

I love being black. That's the best thing that ever happened to me.

2006 — Inside the Actors Studio
Relationships Unverifiable

My father told me, 'Son, if you want to be a man, you gotta learn to fight.' I said, 'Dad, I want to be a comedian.' He said, 'Same thing.'

2000 — Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly (stand-up special)
Life & Aging Unverifiable

I'm a grown man. I don't need to ask permission to be funny.

2020 — Interview with Joe Rogan
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

The only thing that's consistent in life is change.

Unknown — Unidentified interview
Life & Aging Unverifiable

I'm not trying to be offensive. I'm trying to be honest.

2019 — The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
General Unverifiable

You know what the scariest thing about a black man is? Is that he's free.

2003 — Chappelle's Show, 'Black White Supremacist' sketch
General Unverifiable

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.

Unknown — Unidentified stand-up set
General Unverifiable

I'm not here to solve anything. I'm just here to observe it.

2019 — Interview with Gayle King for CBS News
General Unverifiable

The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Just let it loose.

Unknown — Unidentified interview
General Unverifiable

I'm not a role model. I'm a comedian. I'm here to make you laugh, not live your life.

2019 — The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
General Unverifiable

You can't be afraid to offend people. If you're afraid to offend people, you're not doing your job.

2020 — Interview with Joe Rogan
Work & Money Unverifiable

I'm not an activist. I'm an artist.

2021 — The Closer (Netflix special)
General Unverifiable

The only way to truly understand someone is to walk a mile in their shoes. Or, you know, just listen to them.

Unknown — Unidentified stand-up set
General Unverifiable

Comedy is a weapon. You can use it for good or for evil.

2019 — The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
General Unverifiable
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