Wilson Mizner Quotes

Powerful Wilson Mizner for Daily Growth

About Wilson Mizner

Wilson Mizner (1876-1933) was an American playwright, gambler, and showman, known for his witty sayings and a colorful, unconventional lifestyle. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 25, 1876, Mizner's family moved frequently due to his father's job as a railroad worker. This nomadic upbringing exposed him to diverse cultures and people, which later influenced his work and perspective on life. Mizner began his professional career in the entertainment industry by managing a Wild West show and then venturing into boxing promotion. He found greater success as a playwright and screenwriter, with his plays like "The Deep-Down Heart" (1925) and "The Gang's All Here" (1926), showcasing his sharp wit, unconventional humor, and deep insight into human nature. One of Mizner's most enduring contributions to popular culture is his collection of quotes, which encapsulate his philosophies on life, love, and success. Some of his most famous quotes include: "I distrust camels, and any one who keeps them," and "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have a idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas." Mizner's life was marked by financial struggles, legal troubles, and relationships with some of the most influential figures in Hollywood. Despite his turbulent personal life, Mizner left an indelible mark on American culture with his unique blend of humor, wisdom, and unconventional worldview. He passed away in Los Angeles on July 17, 1933. Today, Wilson Mizner is remembered not just as a playwright but as a cultural icon and a master wordsmith who had the ability to encapsulate life's complexities in a few well-chosen words.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his mother."

This quote suggests that a man's success often stems from the influence and support provided by women in his life - particularly his mother and significant other (e.g., wife or partner). The mother lays the foundation for her son, instilling values, discipline, and love which he carries throughout his life, ultimately contributing to his success. Similarly, a woman behind a successful man plays a crucial role, providing emotional support, encouragement, and often practical assistance in achieving their goals. This quote highlights the important, yet often unacknowledged, roles women play in the lives of men.


"A man's got to make his money honestly - then he can skimp on the rest of his life."

The quote implies that a person should earn their wealth through ethical means, and once financial stability is achieved, they may choose to economize in other areas of their life. It suggests a focus on morality and integrity when it comes to income generation, and an acceptance that personal sacrifices or frugal living may be necessary in order to maintain this moral foundation.


"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."

Wilson Mizner's quote, "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus," suggests that our perception of reality is not solely based on what we see with our eyes. Instead, our personal experiences, beliefs, and the power of imagination influence how we perceive and interpret the world around us. If one's imagination is clouded or unclear, it may lead to an inaccurate understanding or interpretation of situations, events, or people. In essence, this quote highlights the importance of maintaining a clear and balanced perspective by keeping our minds open and actively engaging with the world beyond what meets the eye.


"If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you don't repeat them."

This quote by Wilson Mizner emphasizes the importance of learning from past experiences, especially mistakes. It suggests that everyone will inevitably encounter errors in their lives, but the true growth comes when one takes those opportunities to learn and improve. By learning from our mistakes, we can prevent repeating them and grow wiser over time. Essentially, it's a call to embrace life's lessons and strive for personal development.


"A man that don't drink ain't much fun to be with, and a man that does is never any fun to be without."

This quote suggests that social interaction often involves enjoying shared experiences, such as drinking, which can contribute to enjoyment and camaraderie (a man who doesn't drink isn't much fun to be with). However, when one partakes in these activities excessively or irresponsibly, they may become unavailable or less enjoyable due to their altered state (a man that does is never any fun to be without). In essence, the quote highlights the dual nature of such behaviors: they can foster sociability but also lead to undesirable consequences.


To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.

- Wilson Mizner

Give, Good Advice, More, Advice

The cuckoo who is on to himself is halfway out of the clock.

- Wilson Mizner

Clock, Himself, Cuckoo, Halfway

If you steal from one author it's plagiarism; if you steal from many it's research.

- Wilson Mizner

Steal, Author, Many, Plagiarism

I hate careless flattery, the kind that exhausts you in your efforts to believe it.

- Wilson Mizner

Kind, Flattery, Efforts, Careless

A drama critic is a person who surprises the playwright by informing him what he meant.

- Wilson Mizner

Drama, Critic, Meant, Surprises

The first hundred years are the hardest.

- Wilson Mizner

First, Hardest, Hundred, Hundred Years

Life's a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest.

- Wilson Mizner

Hundred, Proposition, Hundred Years

In the battle of existence, Talent is the punch; Tact is the clever footwork.

- Wilson Mizner

Battle, Clever, Footwork, Tact

Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.

- Wilson Mizner

Small, Desire, Having, Affairs

The difference between chirping out of turn and a faux pas depends on what kind of a bar you're in.

- Wilson Mizner

Wisdom, Bar, Depends, Faux

Most hard-boiled people are half-baked.

- Wilson Mizner

People, Most, Half-Baked

Popularity is exhausting. The life of the party almost always winds up in a corner with an overcoat over him.

- Wilson Mizner

Always, Over, Overcoat, Party

A fellow who is always declaring he's no fool usually has his suspicions.

- Wilson Mizner

Always, His, Declaring, Suspicions

If you count all your assets you always show a profit.

- Wilson Mizner

Always, Count, Assets, Profit

All anger is not sinful, because some degree of it, and on some occasions, is inevitable. But it becomes sinful and contradicts the rule of Scripture when it is conceived upon slight and inadequate provocation, and when it continues long.

- Wilson Mizner

Some, Inevitable, Inadequate, Provocation

To my embarrassment I was born in bed with a lady.

- Wilson Mizner

Born, Bed, I Was Born, Embarrassment

A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while, he knows something.

- Wilson Mizner

Good, Everywhere, Listener, Popular

There is something about a closet that makes a skeleton terribly restless.

- Wilson Mizner

Restless, About, Makes, Skeleton

Hollywood is a sewer with service from the Ritz Carlton.

- Wilson Mizner

Service, Hollywood, Ritz, Sewer

I've had ample contact with lawyers, and I'm convinced that the only fortune they ever leave is their own.

- Wilson Mizner

Lawyers, Own, Fortune, Ample

I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education.

- Wilson Mizner

Education, Faith, Doubt, Gives

A slave has but one master. An ambition man, has as many as there are people who helped him get his fortune.

- Wilson Mizner

People, Fortune, Many, Helped

Those who welcome death have only tried it from the ears up.

- Wilson Mizner

Death, Tried, Ears, Welcome

I can usually judge a fellow by what he laughs at.

- Wilson Mizner

Judge, Laughs, He, Fellow

I know of no sentence that can induce such immediate and brazen lying as the one that begins, 'Have you read - .'

- Wilson Mizner

Sentence, Begins, Induce, Lying

Failure has gone to his head.

- Wilson Mizner

Failure, Head, His, Gone

Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down.

- Wilson Mizner

Brainy, Meet, Them, Be Nice

You sparkle with larceny.

- Wilson Mizner

Sparkle, You, Larceny

The most efficient water power in the world - women's tears.

- Wilson Mizner

World, Tears, Most, Efficient

Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing for something.

- Wilson Mizner

Funny, Getting, Sure Way, Gambling

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