12 Quotes & Sayings By Tom Lehrer

Tom Lehrer is an American satirist, satirist-singer, songwriter, pianist, and author. He is known for his satirical songs that poke fun at pop culture and politics. He is also known for his encyclopedic knowledge of popular culture, which he showcases in his albums. The most famous of these are the Songs by Tom Lehrer , which are musical parodies of popular songs Read more

He has also written several books on satire and political humor, including the collection of essays I Hate to be Right .

If after hearing my songs just one human being is...
1
If after hearing my songs just one human being is inspired to say something nasty to a friend or perhaps to strike a loved one it will all have been worth the while. Tom Lehrer
2
I don’t think this kind of thing [satire] has an impact on the unconverted, frankly. It’s not even preaching to the converted; it’s titillating the converted. I think the people who say we need satire often mean, ‘We need satire of them, not of us.’ I’m fond of quoting Peter Cook, who talked about the satirical Berlin cabarets of the ’30s, which did so much to stop the rise of Hitler and prevent the Second World War. Tom Lehrer
3
Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Tom Lehrer
4
I am never forget the day I first meet the great Lobachevsky.In one word he told me secret of success in mathematics: Plagiarize! Plagiarize! Let no one else's work evade your eyes! Remember why the good Lord made your eyes! So don't shade your eyes, But plagiarize, plagiarize, plagiarize -Only be sure always to call it please 'resea Tom Lehrer
5
It's a sobering thought: When Mozart was my age he had been dead for two years. Tom Lehrer
6
I know that thete are people who do not love their fellow man and I hate people like that! Tom Lehrer
7
It is a sobering thought that when Mozart was my age he had been dead for two years. Tom Lehrer
8
Laughter is involuntary. If it's funny you laugh. Tom Lehrer
9
My last public performance for money was in 1967. For free, it was 1972, with the exception of two little one-shot, one-song things. But that's just for friends, out of friendship for the people involved, and also because it was fun. Tom Lehrer
10
Political satire became obsolete when they awarded Henry Kissinger the Nobel Peace Prize. Tom Lehrer
11
Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel peace prize. Tom Lehrer