Portrait of Robin Williams

Robin Williams

Comedian, actor

Contemporary influential 145 sayings

Sayings by Robin Williams

One day [when I relapsed] I walked into a store and saw a little bottle of Jack Daniel's. And then that voice - I call it the 'lower power' - goes, 'Hey. Just a taste. Just one.' I drank it, and there was that brief moment of 'Oh, I'm okay!' But it escalated so quickly. Within a week I was buying so many bottles I sounded like a wind chime walking down the street.

Not specified — Detailed account of a relapse into alcohol addiction.
Shocking Unverifiable

If you're that depressed, reach out to someone. And remember, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Not specified, but widely shared after his death. — Advice on depression and suicide prevention.
Shocking Unverifiable

Being a functioning alcoholic is kind of like being a paraplegic lap dancer — you can do it, just not as well as the others, really.

2014 — Dark humor comparing addiction to a challenging situation.
Shocking Unverifiable

See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time.

Not specified — Outrageous and humorous observation on men.
Shocking Unverifiable

Being a woman is very difficult, since it consists principally of dealing with men.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

The Jews have an expression: 'You want to have a short life? Marry a shiksa.'

2002 — Stand-up comedy
General Unverifiable

The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.

1993 — Interview
General Unverifiable

What's right is what's left if you do everything else wrong.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

We had gay burglars the other night. They broke in and rearranged the furniture.

1980s — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

I love to drink wine. Why? Because it makes me feel fancy. I know nothing about wine. I don't even know the difference between a Beaujolais and a chardonnay. I just know that I like my wine like I like my women: ready to pass out.

2002 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

I'm sorry, I don't do drug jokes anymore... I mean, why should I make drug jokes? Drugs aren't funny... I mean, look what they did to Belushi... and that's not funny... that's not funny... I mean, the guy was dead... that's not funny... That's not funny... unless you knew him.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

I'm an American. I come from a country where we have the right to remain silent... we just don't have the ability.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

The Irish: people who will fight you for being unhappy and then spend all night telling you how unhappy they are.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

I'm not afraid of death. I just don't want to be there when it happens.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

The French are a small, warlike nation - not unlike the pygmies of Zaire, except white and with nuclear weapons.

1986 — Stand-up routine
War & Violence Unverifiable

You know, men are from Mars, women are from Venus. I'm from an entirely different solar system where we just communicate by throwing cheese at each other.

2002 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

I don't do jokes about Michael Jackson anymore. I'm afraid he might come after me in his pajamas.

2005 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

When in doubt, go for the dick joke.

1998 — Interview about comedy
General Unverifiable

I'm not into working out. My philosophy: No pain, no pain.

2002 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable

Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose.

1986 — Stand-up routine
General Unverifiable
Your Cart

Your cart is empty