Will Durst Quotes

Powerful Will Durst for Daily Growth

About Will Durst

Will Durst (born 1951) is an American stand-up comedian, political satirist, and writer known for his incisive wit and insightful commentary on contemporary politics. Born in Bellingham, Washington, Durst was the third of seven children in a Catholic family. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he developed an early interest in comedy, citing the works of Mark Twain and Stephen Leacock as formative influences. After graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in political science, Durst moved to San Francisco where he began his professional career as a stand-up comedian. It was here that he first gained recognition for his political satire, performing regularly at comedy clubs and political events around the Bay Area. In 1984, Durst took his act to national audiences with his Comedy Central special "Will Durst: The All-American Family." This performance catapulted him to fame, earning him a Cable ACE Award for Best Stand-Up Comic and establishing him as one of the leading political satirists of his time. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Durst continued to tour extensively, releasing multiple comedy albums and hosting several television shows. His most notable works during this period include "Will Durst's Electrifying Hope," which aired on PBS in 1992, and his best-selling book "Clean & Warm: A Guide for Americans in the Age of Global Warming" published in 2007. In addition to his work as a comedian, Durst has been an active political commentator, contributing regularly to various news outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, and The Huffington Post. He remains a prominent voice in contemporary politics, using humor to shed light on the absurdities of modern American politics while promoting civic engagement and critical thinking.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Democracy is just an expression of our faith in chaos."

Will Durst's quote suggests that democracy, as a form of government by the people, embodies our trust in the inherent disorder and uncertainty of human decision-making. In other words, democracy reflects our belief that through open debate, fair elections, and collective participation, society can navigate chaos to achieve the greater good and ensure the rights and freedoms of its citizens.


"Politics is the art of identifying problems too late and solving them too early."

This quote by Will Durst suggests that politicians often lack timeliness in addressing issues, both in recognizing problems when they first arise (identifying too late) and implementing solutions before the full extent or consequences of those problems are understood (solving too early). It implies a criticism of the political process for its inefficiency and failure to prioritize long-term, comprehensive solutions over short-term gains or reactionary measures.


"The only difference between a taxidermist and a Republican is that the taxidermist leaves the skin."

This quote by Will Durst suggests a satirical comparison between a taxidermist (someone who preserves animals by stuffing them) and a Republican (a member of the U.S. Republican Party). The humor lies in implying that Republicans, like taxidermists, are perceived as preserving or maintaining a certain image, tradition, or status quo without allowing for change, growth, or progress - just as a taxidermist preserves an animal's appearance without accounting for its life. The quote is critical of the idea of preservation over evolution, and it implies that Republicans may be too conservative in their thinking, much like how a taxidermied animal remains static.


"I am not a cynic. I am a well-informed realist."

This quote by Will Durst suggests that he is a pragmatic individual who has a clear understanding of the world as it really is, rather than an overly negative person who distrusts everything (a cynic). He acknowledges the challenges and complexities of the world but maintains hope and optimism for positive change based on his knowledge and awareness.


"The government is like a baby's alimentary canal: food goes in one end, money comes out the other."

This quote by Will Durst suggests that the process of government operation resembles an infant's digestive system in the sense that resources (represented as 'food') are inputted, but the outcome ('money') is expenditure rather than return or profit. It implies a critique of governments, suggesting they are primarily consumers of resources without significant production or financial gain, which may resonate with some who view the government as wasteful or inefficient.


I hate the outdoors. To me the outdoors is where the car is.

- Will Durst

Car, Hate, Me, Outdoors

It's okay to laugh in the bedroom so long as you don't point.

- Will Durst

Laugh, Long, Okay, Bedroom

Well, we won the war. You know what that means. In twenty years, we'll all be driving Iraqi cars.

- Will Durst

War, Means, Iraqi, Twenty

There is humor in the specter of the worst disaster in our nation's history. All I have to do is sweep away the debris of shock to find it.

- Will Durst

Nation, Away, Sweep, Disaster

I'm glad Reagan is president. Of course, I'm a professional comedian.

- Will Durst

Glad, Comedian, Reagan, President

Comedy is defiance. It's a snort of contempt in the face of fear and anxiety. And it's the laughter that allows hope to creep back on the inhale.

- Will Durst

Comedy, Back, Creep, Laughter

Men are superior to women, for one thing they can urinate from a speeding car.

- Will Durst

Car, Men, Speeding, Superior

How did sex come to be thought of as dirty in the first place? God must have been a Republican.

- Will Durst

Thought, Dirty, Been, First Place

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