Robert Orben Quotes

Powerful Robert Orben for Daily Growth

About Robert Orben

Robert Orben (1927-2020), an American humorist, writer, and television producer, was renowned for his wit, intelligence, and knack for transforming everyday situations into hilarious anecdotes. Born on August 6, 1927, in New York City, Orben grew up in a working-class family with Jewish roots. His mother, Mollie, was a seamstress, and his father, Samuel, worked in the garment industry. Orben's interest in comedy began at an early age when he started writing jokes for amateur nights at local clubs. In 1947, Orben enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. After his discharge, he pursued a career in show business, first as a nightclub emcee, then as a writer for television and radio shows. In the 1960s, Orben gained recognition as a writer for the Jack Paar Show. He later wrote for The Dean Martin Show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. His work on these programs earned him three Emmy Awards. Orben published several books, including "The Best of Robert Orben" (1962), "Laughter, the Sterling Silver of Speech" (1974), and "Orben's Book of Funny Things" (1981). His works are characterized by clever wordplay, observation, and a unique ability to find humor in everyday life. Throughout his career, Orben was influenced by the likes of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and Groucho Marx. He was also inspired by the world around him, drawing material from politics, sports, and current events. Orben's influence can still be felt today, with many contemporary comedians citing him as a significant inspiration. Robert Orben passed away on March 14, 2020, at the age of 92, leaving behind a rich legacy of humor and wit that continues to entertain audiences worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A good speaker is born with the gift of gab and a great speaker is born with the gift of gab and a good book."

This quote by Robert Orben suggests that being a good speaker involves inherent charisma and eloquence, often referred to as the "gift of gab". However, to become a great speaker requires more than just natural talent; it necessitates the additional study and understanding of knowledge or ideas, symbolized by a 'good book'. In essence, the quote underscores that while charisma is important, a deep understanding of one's subject matter is crucial for delivering compelling speeches.


"Success is not a destination, it's the journey."

The quote "Success is not a destination, it's the journey" by Robert Orben emphasizes that success is more about the process than the final result. It suggests that while we may have goals and aspirations, the true value lies in the experiences, growth, and skills acquired during our pursuit of those goals, rather than simply reaching them. In other words, life's journey filled with effort, resilience, learning, and self-discovery is where success truly unfolds.


"The secret of life is to make it count, not to count it."

This quote suggests that the true essence of life lies in its impact and meaningfulness, rather than mere accumulation or measurement. It encourages individuals to focus on living their lives in a way that matters, rather than simply counting achievements or possessions. Essentially, it's about making each moment count towards creating a rich, fulfilling life experience, rather than focusing solely on quantifying one's existence.


"A sense of humor is just common sense dancing."

The quote suggests that a good sense of humor stems from a clear, practical understanding of situations, but instead of merely recognizing it, we express or perceive this understanding in an entertaining and lively way. Essentially, common sense, when expressed with wit and joy, becomes humor.


"To find humor in anything, especially yourself, is the best defense against permanent unhappiness."

This quote highlights the importance of finding humor in life, particularly in oneself. By maintaining a sense of humor and finding amusement in various aspects, including one's own personality or situations, an individual can cultivate resilience against persistent sadness or unhappiness. A healthy dose of humor helps foster optimism, adaptability, and the ability to take setbacks in stride, ultimately contributing to overall well-being and happiness.


Life was a lot simpler when what we honored was father and mother rather than all major credit cards.

- Robert Orben

Society, Cards, Rather, Simpler

Older people shouldn't eat health food, they need all the preservatives they can get.

- Robert Orben

Funny, Need, Get, Older People

Telling a joke is risk taking. Younger people are more insecure and not willing to put themselves on the line, so a quick one-liner is much safer.

- Robert Orben

Younger, Quick, Telling, Insecure

Planned obsolescence is not really a new concept. God used it with people.

- Robert Orben

New, Planned, Concept, Obsolescence

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success.

- Robert Orben

Graduation, Students, Key

Time flies. It's up to you to be the navigator.

- Robert Orben

Time, Time Flies, Flies, Navigator

I got a Valentine's Day card from my girl. It said, 'Take my heart! Take my arms! Take my lips!' Which is just like her. Keeping the best part for herself.

- Robert Orben

Like, Valentine's Day, Which, Valentine

There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all.

- Robert Orben

Pollution, Air, Our, Lungs

A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.

- Robert Orben

Nothing, All Day, Having, Vacation

Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian.

- Robert Orben

Always, Been, United States, Illegal Aliens

I remember when humor was gentle pokes. I used to call it 'arm around the shoulder' humor. Now they go for the jugular and they take no prisoners. It's mean, mean stuff.

- Robert Orben

I Remember, Remember When, Arm

Happiness is a very small desk and a very big wastebasket.

- Robert Orben

Small, Big, Very, Wastebasket

Every morning I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.

- Robert Orben

Work, Morning, Through, Richest

Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.

- Robert Orben

Work, Business, Through, Richest

In prehistoric times, mankind often had only two choices in crisis situations: fight or flee. In modern times, humor offers us a third alternative; fight, flee - or laugh.

- Robert Orben

Mankind, Crisis, Offers, Laugh

If you can laugh together, you can work together.

- Robert Orben

Work, You, Work Together, Laugh

Love is so confusing - you tell a girl she looks great and what's the first thing you do? Turn out the lights!

- Robert Orben

Love, Turn, Tell, Lights

President Ford used humor a great deal.

- Robert Orben

Humor, Deal, Ford, Great Deal

Inflation is the crabgrass in your savings.

- Robert Orben

Inflation, Your, Savings

With my luck, if I ever invested in General Motors, they'd bust it to Corporal!

- Robert Orben

Luck, General, Ever, Invested

What bothers me about TV is that it tends to take our minds off our minds.

- Robert Orben

Minds, TV, Take, Tends

More than ever before, Americans are suffering from back problems: back taxes, back rent, back auto payments.

- Robert Orben

More, Before, Auto, Problems

Never raise your hand to your children - it leaves your midsection unprotected.

- Robert Orben

Parenting, Never, Leaves, Hand

Every speaker has a mouth; An arrangement rather neat. Sometimes it's filled with wisdom. Sometimes it's filled with feet.

- Robert Orben

Feet, Mouth, Arrangement, Neat

Most people would like to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch.

- Robert Orben

Like, Most, Would, Temptation

Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that's not true. Some of the smaller countries are neutral.

- Robert Orben

Deep, Some, Smaller, Neutral

The chance to be seen as a warm, witty guy is too good an opportunity for a politician to miss.

- Robert Orben

Chance, Warm, Too, Witty

Spring is God's way of saying, 'One more time!'

- Robert Orben

Time, Spring, More, Saying

Washington is a place where politicians don't know which way is up and taxes don't know which way is down.

- Robert Orben

Government, Know, Which, Politicians

Do you ever get the feeling that the only reason we have elections is to find out if the polls were right?

- Robert Orben

Politics, Reason, Feeling, Polls

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