Michael Leunig Quotes

Powerful Michael Leunig for Daily Growth

About Michael Leunig

Michael Leunig (born September 6, 1945) is an Australian cartoonist, artist, musician, playwright, poet, and author. Known for his poignant and thought-provoking works, he has made a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Australia since the 1970s. Born in Melbourne to German refugee parents, Leunig spent much of his childhood in Adelaide before moving to Sydney to study art at the National Art School (NAS) in 1963. His formative years were greatly influenced by the counterculture movement of the 1960s and the creative energy that permeated the arts scene in Sydney during this time. Leunig began his professional career as a cartoonist for The Bulletin magazine in 1973, where he would create his most iconic characters such as 'The Fisherman' and 'The Bellbird.' His cartoons often address themes of love, loss, spirituality, and the human condition, making him one of Australia's most beloved and respected cartoonists. In addition to his work for The Bulletin, Leunig has written several books of poetry, prose, and essays, including 'The Australia I Never Knew' (1986) and 'A Small Piece of Quiet' (2015). His work has been translated into many languages, and he has won numerous awards for his contributions to literature and the arts. Leunig is also an accomplished musician and has released several albums of original music, blending elements of folk, blues, and jazz. He is a deeply spiritual person and draws inspiration from various religious traditions, particularly Christianity and Buddhism. Throughout his career, Leunig has remained committed to expressing the complexity and fragility of the human spirit, making him one of Australia's most important cultural figures. His works continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, touching hearts and sparking thoughtful conversation about the state of the world and our place within it.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

The quote by Michael Leunig emphasizes the significance of both giving and receiving love as fundamental aspects of human life. It suggests that cultivating the skill to express and share love with others, as well as being open to receive love, is a crucial component of personal growth and fulfillment. By engaging in this reciprocal exchange of love, individuals can develop stronger relationships, foster empathy, and create a more connected world. Overall, Leunig's words underscore the importance of love as a guiding principle for leading a meaningful life.


"The people who think they are sane are much more dangerous than those who are certified as mad."

This quote suggests that individuals who believe themselves to be rational or sane, yet disregard or refuse to acknowledge the existence of irrationality or madness within themselves, can pose a greater threat to society and humanity as a whole, compared to those who are openly acknowledged as "mad." The implication is that self-delusion and refusal to engage with one's own inner shadows may lead to harmful actions, while those who confront their flaws and vulnerabilities may be more capable of empathy, understanding, and constructive change.


"It's better to be lonely than unhappy with someone."

This quote suggests that it's more beneficial to be alone, rather than in a relationship or situation that brings unhappiness. It emphasizes the importance of personal well-being and mental health over societal expectations or external validation. Leunig encourages individuals to prioritize their emotional state, as being lonely may offer an opportunity for self-discovery, growth, and eventual happiness, rather than staying in a toxic relationship that fosters negative emotions.


"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

This quote emphasizes that kindness, as a universal human emotion and behavior, transcends the boundaries of communication methods typically associated with hearing or sight. Kindness is a language that can be understood by all, regardless of their ability to hear or see in a traditional sense. It speaks directly to people's hearts and souls, creating an emotional connection and fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding among individuals from diverse backgrounds. In essence, Leunig highlights the power and importance of kindness as a universal language that bridges gaps between cultures, abilities, and beliefs.


"Life is a delicate balance between holding on and letting go."

Michael Leunig's quote, "Life is a delicate balance between holding on and letting go," highlights the inherent tension in navigating life successfully. On one hand, we cling to the familiar, the comfortable, and the things that bring us security - these are the aspects of life that we hold on to. On the other hand, growth, change, and moving forward often require us to let go of old habits, relationships, and ideas. Striking a balance between these two actions allows us to progress while still maintaining connections and values from our past. This delicate dance between holding on and letting go is a continuous process that is central to the human experience.


Perhaps life is actually more confusing and unknowable to an adult than a child, but grown-ups have learned to deceive themselves and act as if they understand what's going on; and some are elected to high office on the basis of their ability to create this impression.

- Michael Leunig

Office, Some, High Office, Grown-Ups

The hypocrisy of some is that we like to think of ourselves as sophisticated and evolved, but we're still also driven by primal urges like greed and power.

- Michael Leunig

Think, Some, Still, Sophisticated

The relentless invisible storm of radio signals and electronic particles, the hustle and bustle, and the billions of petrol explosions in the engine blocks of trucks and cars seem to churn up the molecules of life and heaven so violently that the beautiful fogs are unable to hold together like they once did.

- Michael Leunig

Invisible, Molecules, Bustle, Signals

Apparently, the pathfinder duck is a psychological archetype in certain cultures.

- Michael Leunig

Psychological, Apparently, Duck

If you know anything about ducks, you know a baby duck will imprint itself on you. It misses its mother.

- Michael Leunig

Will, Imprint, About, Duck

Avoiding maturity is, for many men, not just a cute hobby, but a life's work - often handsomely rewarded in the infantile popular culture of the West.

- Michael Leunig

Work, Maturity, Often, Infantile

Sweetheart,' 'darling,' 'luv.' I like these words; they fit me like a comfortable old pullover. I remember them from childhood; that's what innocent little boys were called by cheerful aunties back then, to make them feel welcome and secure in the world.

- Michael Leunig

I Remember, Back, Sweetheart, Darling

There can be many reasons to travel, but wandering into the world for no particular reason is a sublime madness, which in all its whimsy and pointlessness may depict the story of life - and indeed could be a useful model to keep in mind, seeing as so much of life's ambition comes unstuck or leads to nothing much at all.

- Michael Leunig

Reason, Reasons, Depict, Indeed

We might imagine that Jesus had many human faults. He failed most humanly, in my reckoning, when he killed the fig tree just because it didn't bear any figs for his breakfast; that was a disgraceful, bad-tempered thing to do, and to try and make a virtue of it by saying it was a demonstration of faith only made things worse.

- Michael Leunig

Faith, Faults, Had, Fig

An education system suits some more than others. It can lead you out into life or lead you on a wild goose chase. It can help to make you miserable, or dull and nasty and insipid, or profoundly stupid in the special way that 'brainy' people can be.

- Michael Leunig

Education, Stupid, Some, Goose

A street full of electric light is a sign of civic failure and is an insulting injury to the soul. Shutting out the night is as disastrous as shutting out the light.

- Michael Leunig

Soul, Night, Electric, Electric Light

In contemporary art culture, where good looks and clever strategic planning of art careers have become a feature, professional practice may be taught in art schools like a branch of public relations or political science.

- Michael Leunig

Practice, Strategic, Public Relations

I have sometimes done cartoons that are hurtful to people - immature, spiteful stuff. Some are so self-indulgent, and some have just failed. I look back and sometimes cringe. But one regret as I get older is that I haven't been radical and wild enough.

- Michael Leunig

Some, Been, Self-Indulgent, Cartoons

I have not much love for the bright lights - unless it's the sun creeping up over the horizon.

- Michael Leunig

Love, Over, Bright Lights, Creeping

There are times when the art world seems like a religious empire. There are great cathedral galleries and pilgrimage sites where treasured art pieces are displayed like holy relics, and this can certainly be a great pleasure on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

- Michael Leunig

Pilgrimage, Religious, Sites

I must warn you right here and now that I am a 'wet leftie,' a 'leftist' and also a member of the 'bleeding heart liberal left.' I had no say in it whatsoever. I woke up one morning, and these things were tattooed across my forehead.

- Michael Leunig

Here, Bleeding, Woke, Leftist

A good memory is surely a compost heap that converts experience to wisdom, creativity, or dottiness; not that these things are of much earthly value, but at least they may keep you amused when the world is keeping you locked away or shutting you out.

- Michael Leunig

Memory, Away, Surely, Heap

The insatiable need for heartless power and ruthless control is the telltale sign of an uninitiated man - the most irresponsible, incompetent and destructive force on earth.

- Michael Leunig

Need, Sign, Heartless, Irresponsible

At last, after completing year 12, I failed the great final examination, repeated the following year and failed again even more dismally than before. This was not an easy thing to do. My mates did the simple thing in the first place and mainly passed with honours and went on to have remarkably successful lives.

- Michael Leunig

Simple, Year, Before, Remarkably

Falling down is a very big subject, and so is the concept of downfall. None of us escapes, and I have had my share of both.

- Michael Leunig

Big, Falling, Very, Escapes

If the nose has become a deeply disillusioned and grief-stricken organ in the modern world, then what of the ear? The poor little ear - such an innocent, intelligent and sensitive creature; in these times of such flagrant sonic brutality, the sense within the ear has much to contend with.

- Michael Leunig

Innocent, Organ, Times, Sonic

As a cartoonist, I am not interested in defending the dominant, the powerful, the well-resourced and the well-armed because such groups are usually not in need of advocacy, moral support or sympathetic understanding; they have already organised sufficient publicity for themselves and prosecute their points of view with great efficiency.

- Michael Leunig

Organised, Sympathetic, Advocacy

When all is said and done, it looks like the Palestinians have been massively robbed and abused, and are engaged in a desperate struggle for survival and liberation. Israel, on the other hand, would appear to be conducting an imperialistic campaign of oppression supported and substantially armed by the most powerful nation on earth.

- Michael Leunig

Other, Been, Engaged, Liberation

I don't like to brag, but I must tell you that I am regarded in some circles as being in the upper echelons of the elite loony left.

- Michael Leunig

Tell, Some, Like, Brag

All nations that throw their military weight around, occupying neighboring lands and treating the residents with callous and humiliating disregard, are already sliding towards the dark possibilities in human nature.

- Michael Leunig

Possibilities, Sliding, Treating

Humans are nervous, touchy creatures and can be easily offended. Many are deeply insecure. They become focused and energized by taking offence; it makes them feel meaningful and alive.

- Michael Leunig

Alive, Offended, Creatures, Insecure

I don't think I have spiritual beliefs in the structured sense - but I believe in the absolute necessity of spirit and a healthy spiritual life. It grew inside me by itself, which is surely the very nature of spirit, and instinctively I protected and nourished it. I also absorbed spirituality by osmosis.

- Michael Leunig

Spiritual Life, Very, Surely, Nourished

Of all the seasons, winter is the most conducive to the great art of dormancy. This art requires an appreciation of semi-consciousness: the beautiful and necessary prelude to sleep - a special pleasure in itself that is all too often neglected, under-valued or looked down upon.

- Michael Leunig

Winter, Down, Great Art, Prelude

Wisdom may best arise from a humbling reality.

- Michael Leunig

Reality, May, Arise, Humbling

Over the years, my marks on paper have landed me in all sorts of courts and controversies - I have been comprehensively labelled; anti-this and anti-that, anti-social, anti-football, anti-woman, anti-gay, anti-Semitic, anti-science, anti-republican, anti-American, anti-Australian - to recall just an armful of the antis.

- Michael Leunig

Been, Anti-American, Courts, Controversies

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