Jim Davis Quotes

Powerful Jim Davis for Daily Growth

About Jim Davis

Jim Davis (born June 28, 1945) is an American cartoonist, humorist, and author, best known as the creator of the comic strip 'Garfield,' one of the world's most widely syndicated and beloved comic strips. Born in Marion, Indiana, Davis showed an early interest in drawing. After high school, he attended Ball State University, where he studied art education but dropped out before graduating. Davis' professional career began when he took a job as a greeting card artist at Hallmark Cards. In 1973, he created 'Garfield,' initially for his own amusement. The cat character quickly gained popularity within the company and was later syndicated by United Feature Syndicate in 1978. 'Garfield' revolves around a lazy, food-loving orange tabby cat who shares his life with his owner Jon Arbuckle, their dog Odie, and occasionally other characters. The strip's humor often centers on Garfield's sarcastic wit, love of lasagna, and disdain for Mondays. Davis' success with 'Garfield' allowed him to explore various ventures outside the comic strip. He has written numerous books based on the comic, including the best-selling 'The Art of Garfield.' In addition, Davis expanded the Garfield franchise into various media, such as TV shows, films, video games, and merchandise. Over the years, Davis has been honored for his contributions to cartooning. He was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the Reuben Award from the National Cartoonists Society in 2007. Despite his success, Davis remains modest about his achievements, attributing them to 'luck, perseverance, and a love for drawing.'

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Happiness is a choice - not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy. No object will make you happy. You make your own happiness."

This quote by Jim Davis emphasizes the personal responsibility we have in finding our own happiness. It suggests that happiness is not an outcome of external circumstances, but rather a choice one makes regardless of their situation or environment. The quote underscores the idea that true happiness cannot be found through others or material possessions; instead, it comes from making the conscious decision to be content and at peace with oneself. This perspective encourages personal growth, self-awareness, and mindfulness as key elements in cultivating a happy life.


"Comics are just a tool for learning, for making kids curious about the world around them."

This quote by Jim Davis emphasizes that comics serve as an engaging and accessible medium to stimulate curiosity and foster learning among young readers. By presenting complex ideas or topics in a visually appealing and entertaining format, comics can make the process of education more enjoyable and less daunting. They provide a bridge between entertainment and education, encouraging children to explore their surroundings with interest and ask questions about the world around them.


"I don't do drugs. I am drugs."

Jim Davis' quote, "I don't do drugs. I am drugs," is a metaphorical expression that highlights the creative and inspirational power he finds within himself, as if his ideas are as potent and transformative as illegal substances. Essentially, Davis is saying that he derives his energy and inspiration directly from his own mind, bypassing the need for external stimuli like drugs.


"The secret of life is to appreciate the pleasures, and forget the pains."

The quote by Jim Davis emphasizes a philosophy that encourages enjoying life's joys while letting go of its hardships. It suggests that focusing on the positive aspects, or "pleasures," of our experiences can help us lead more fulfilling lives. This perspective acknowledges that challenges and pain are an inevitable part of life, but encourages us to prioritize emotional well-being by shifting focus from those difficulties towards the joy and happiness they may not entirely overshadow.


"If he had a normal life, Garfield would be dead within a week."

This quote highlights the humorous perspective of cartoonist Jim Davis on his character, Garfield the cat. By stating that if Garfield lived a normal life (without human care and indulgence in unhealthy food), he would likely not survive long due to typical feline risks like predators or dietary issues. It's a clever play on the ironic fact that it is Garfield's abnormal, pampered lifestyle that has made him famous in the comic strip.


Cats are anthropomorphised in art because they are so laid back that you automatically attribute human thoughts and feelings to them.

- Jim Davis

Art, Thoughts, Laid, Automatically

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.

- Jim Davis

Cake, Bread, Thanksgiving, Suggest

We live in a time where we're made to feel guilty about overeating, oversleeping, and not exercising. Garfield not only does all that, but he doesn't apologize for it.

- Jim Davis

Feel, Made, About, Garfield

Readers have told me that their children have learned to read after years of struggle after starting to read Garfield's comic strip and many people who have moved to the United States have said that they, too, learned English by reading Garfield.

- Jim Davis

United, Comic Strip, Moved, Garfield

I was very happy and honored to create the Professor Garfield Foundation with Ball State to make reading fun.

- Jim Davis

Happy, Reading, Very, Garfield

The surprising thing was, it's actually easier working on animation than working on a comic strip, because Garfield is animated in my head.

- Jim Davis

Surprising Thing, Garfield

My dream in life is to write the one gag that makes everyone in the world laugh.

- Jim Davis

World, Dream, Everyone, Gag

I was in and out of comas until I was nine and I would lose entire days and weeks. The novelty of being able to really do stuff hasn't worn off - I still feel like I'm making up for lost time.

- Jim Davis

Novelty, Nine, Weeks, Making Up

When you're through with your cat, you can't throw it in the trash.

- Jim Davis

Cat, Through, Throw, Trash

I didn't have a whole lot of success getting dates, I was always a bit of a geek.

- Jim Davis

Always, Getting, Lot, Dates

I thought if I could create a convincing cat I could say and do anything I wanted on the human condition.

- Jim Davis

Thought, Human Condition, If I Could

There are so many opportunities in life, that the loss of two or three capabilities is not necessarily debilitating. A handicap can give you the opportunity to focus more on art, writing, or music.

- Jim Davis

Art, Give, Capabilities, Debilitating

I'm still a farm boy at heart. If I hadn't suffered from asthma as a child, I would be a farmer today.

- Jim Davis

Boy, Still, Asthma, Farm

I stop short of being a workaholic.

- Jim Davis

Short, Stop, Being, Workaholic

You'd have to go a long way to find someone who was more proud and grateful for what our veterans have done for all of us.

- Jim Davis

Grateful, Proud, Veterans, Long Way

I can go everywhere and no one recognises me.

- Jim Davis

Me, Go, Everywhere, Recognises

Way down deep, we're all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.

- Jim Davis

Pet, Deep, Motivated, Urges

Good morning is a contradiction of terms.

- Jim Davis

Morning, Good Morning, Terms, Contradiction

You have to do something when you're lying in bed. So you play with your mind.

- Jim Davis

Mind, Play, Bed, Lying

Avoid fruits and nuts. You are what you eat.

- Jim Davis

Fruits, Nuts, Eat, Avoid

It occurred to me that cats were being held back a little bit. I thought, 'I'll give the cat human thoughts and feelings but not be apologetic for it. That would be very catlike.'

- Jim Davis

Thoughts, Give, Apologetic, Occurred

I probably get more inspiration for human stories and idiosyncrasies than I do animal stories.

- Jim Davis

More, Get, Stories, Animal

The understatement is the English contribution to comedy.

- Jim Davis

Contribution, Comedy, Understatement

Usually I commit to something in my head and then I start drawing.

- Jim Davis

Drawing, Head, Commit, Start

Cats rule the world.

- Jim Davis

World, Rule, Cats

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