Steve Breen Quotes

Powerful Steve Breen for Daily Growth

About Steve Breen

Steve Breen is an acclaimed American cartoonist and editorial illustrator, widely recognized for his satirical wit and humorous perspectives on contemporary issues. Born on August 14, 1963, in San Diego, California, Breen grew up surrounded by the rich artistic culture of his hometown. His passion for art was nurtured from a young age, and he honed his skills at the Art Institute of California – San Diego. Breen's professional journey began with a stint as a staff artist for the now-defunct comic book publisher Pacific Comics in the 1980s. This early experience laid the foundation for his future success, and he went on to work for various comic book companies such as Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics. In the late '80s, Breen's career took a significant turn when he joined the editorial staff at The San Diego Union-Tribune as an editorial cartoonist. Since then, his incisive commentary on politics, society, and everyday life has graced the newspaper's pages for over three decades, earning him multiple awards and recognition from organizations like the National Cartoonists Society. Breen is also known for his work on the popular comic strip "The Pirates of Penzance" which he co-created with Jon Adams. The comic strip has been running in newspapers since 1987 and continues to be a favorite among readers worldwide. Throughout his career, Breen's work has been influenced by the great political cartoonists of the past, such as Thomas Nast, Charles Dana Gibson, and Herblock. His unique blend of humor, social commentary, and artistic skill continues to resonate with audiences, making him one of America's most beloved editorial cartoonists.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Laughter is the perfect spice to any recipe."

This quote by Steve Breen highlights laughter as a vital and enhancing element in life, much like how spices elevate the taste of a dish. Just as spices bring out flavors and make a meal more delightful, laughter adds joy, positivity, and liveliness to our experiences and interactions with others. In essence, Breen suggests that a good dose of laughter can enrich and improve any situation or relationship, making life more enjoyable and fulfilling.


"A good cartoon is one you can look at for hours and find something new every time."

Steve Breen's quote emphasizes the depth and complexity that a great cartoon can have, suggesting it offers layers of meaning that may not be immediately apparent. The viewer's experience is continually evolving as they engage with the work over extended periods, uncovering new aspects, themes, or humor each time they look at it. This quote underscores the idea that a good cartoon transcends simple first impressions and invites contemplation and repeated exploration.


"There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who think there are two kinds of people in this world, and those who don't."

This quote suggests that there are essentially two categories of people: those who perceive and categorize the world in dualistic terms (such as "those who think there are two kinds of people," etc.), and those who do not fit this category or see the world in a more nuanced way (the "second kind" of people). The quote can be interpreted to mean that people's perspectives on the world often tend towards categorization and dichotomies, but these simplifications may not always accurately reflect the complexities of human nature. Ultimately, it points out that there are more variations in how people perceive the world than just two types, challenging those who think otherwise to consider a broader perspective.


"I believe the best way to predict your future is to create it."

This quote emphasizes personal agency, suggesting that instead of passively waiting for life to happen or being influenced solely by external factors, individuals should actively shape their own futures. By taking control, making informed decisions, pursuing goals, and creating opportunities, one can predict their future in a positive way because they are the architects of their destiny. This perspective encourages proactivity, self-determination, and empowerment.


"Comics are a mirror held up to society, reflecting what we want to see about ourselves, what we fear, what we dream about, what we hope for, and what we can laugh at."

Steve Breen's quote suggests that comics serve as a reflection of our collective consciousness. They depict aspirations, fears, dreams, and humor of society, offering an insightful commentary on our values, beliefs, and shared experiences. Essentially, comics function as a cultural mirror, revealing aspects of ourselves we might not always acknowledge or discuss directly.


When I look at someone's face, there's something in my brain that just clicks - that breaks down their face into the elements that go into a caricature. It might be like the way a chef tastes a dish and can break down into elements what went into it.

- Steve Breen

Down, Caricature, Just, Tastes

My dad was an FBI agent. My mom and dad were straight arrow types, and I had a conservative, suburban Orange County upbringing.

- Steve Breen

Mom And Dad, Agent, Types, Orange County

I have four boys and two girls, and the girls, they typically want you to draw princesses, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, things like that.

- Steve Breen

Want, Like, Draw, Princesses

A gorilla with a cellphone riding a bicycle is bound to generate some clever captions.

- Steve Breen

Bicycle, Some, Gorilla, Generate

Chess is a thinking person's game. But you don't have to be smart to know what's funny! Lots of check, mate!

- Steve Breen

Game, Chess, Check, Mate

Comic-Con is incredibly important to San Diego, but that doesn't mean we can't poke a little fun at it!

- Steve Breen

Important, San, Incredibly, Diego

It's sometimes hard to wrap your head around a big story, and for most of us drawing editorial cartoons 9/11/ 01, that was the biggest story of our professional lives.

- Steve Breen

Big, Editorial, Lives, Big Story

When I first started as an editorial cartoonist, I was terrified on a daily basis. Filling that hole the next day, knowing that tens of thousands of people were going to expect something funny. There is still that pressure, but you kind of learn how to cope with it a little better.

- Steve Breen

Next, Tens, Cope

I developed my love for the news because of my love for international news.

- Steve Breen

Love, News, Because, International

I loved practical jokes. I loved being goofy on the playground, and I loved doing silly cartoons, but I was not this subversive little delinquent. I am an Eagle Scout, after all.

- Steve Breen

Doing, Practical, Subversive, Delinquent

I'm fully aware that not every cartoon is Pulitzer material. That said, I'm proud of my Pulitzer portfolio, the 20 that got judged.

- Steve Breen

Proud, Cartoon, Judged, Fully

I use a quill pen dipped in India ink. I also like Faber-Castell brush pens and Pigma Micron pens. And I work on Duo-Shade board.

- Steve Breen

Like, Use, Brush, Board

It's a fun job, but it's stressful because you have to be funny. You have to have punch lines and captions. Be funny now! And if you're not inspired, they don't care - be funny now! They have to fill that hole the next day.

- Steve Breen

Next, Inspired, Fill, Stressful

I read the 'New York Times,' 'USA Today,' the 'Union-Tribune,' then go online to Drudge, CNN, Fox News, blogs.

- Steve Breen

News, New, USA, New York Times

My parents always got a kick out of my art. I was always able to make them laugh. As I got older, I remember the thrill I got when I graduated from making my classmates laugh to making adults laugh. Kind of a watershed moment.

- Steve Breen

I Remember, Got, Watershed, Graduated

Women are more difficult to caricature than men - partly because beauty is more difficult to caricature.

- Steve Breen

Beauty, More, Caricature, Women Are

Birthplace of Obama: Oahu. Birthplace of Obama's budget policies: Neverland.

- Steve Breen

Policies, Birthplace, Obama, Budget

When I was starting out in 1988, I was doing cartoons on President George H. W. Bush, Iraq and the fall of Soviet Union.

- Steve Breen

Doing, Soviet Union, Bush, Starting

My favorite caricaturist is Al Hirschfeld. I'm always trying to give my caricatures that streamlined quality - and I often fall short.

- Steve Breen

Give, Always, Streamlined, Al

As an editorial cartoonist now, I live for those moments of inspiration, and it is exhilarating to be inspired by a topic, have an opinion on the topic, come up with a good cartoon on the topic, and to draw it and get it in the paper the next day. That is what I live for.

- Steve Breen

Next, Cartoon, Editorial, Cartoonist

Drawings don't have a point. Cartoons, you want to have an opinion; you want them to express a viewpoint.

- Steve Breen

Want, Viewpoint, Drawings, Opinion

Personally, I try to be provocative but not needlessly provocative in my work.

- Steve Breen

Work, Try, Personally, Provocative

For an encore, I might do health-care cartoons using my own blood. That will be my last act.

- Steve Breen

Will, Last, Using, Cartoons

Big stories have lots of angles, and you have to decide what part of that story you want to address.

- Steve Breen

Big, Stories, Lots, Angles

We can self-censor ourselves for various reasons, but we can't live in a world where some person or some group decides what's offensive and what's not.

- Steve Breen

Some, Offensive, Reasons, Various

No one should ever be hurt or killed for saying, writing or drawing anything.

- Steve Breen

Writing, Should, Ever, Drawing

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