“Sophistication might be described as the ability to cope gracefully with a situation involving the presence of a formidable menace to one's poise and prestige (such as the butler, or the man under the bed - but never the husband).”
Other James Thurber Quotes
Laughter need not be cut out of anything, since it improves everything.
James Thurber 
60% of people like this quote
Comedy has to be done en clair. You can't blunt the edge of wit or the point of satire with obscurity. Try to imagine a famous witty saying that is not immediately clear.
James Thurber
59% of people like this quote
Why do you have to be a nonconformist like everybody else?
James Thurber
58% of people like this quote
It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.
James Thurber
58% of people like this quote
The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself, but in so doing, he identifies himself with people - that is, people everywhere, not for the purpose of taking them apart, but simply revealing their true nature.
James Thurber
57% of people like this quote