Richard Pryor — Quotes

“I went to the library and asked the librarian, 'Do you have any books about paranoia?' She whispered, 'They're right behind you...'”

— Richard Pryor · A classic joke from his 1970s comedy routines that exemplified his absurdist humor style.

“You know why they call it the American Dream? Because you have to be asleep to believe it.”

— Richard Pryor · Social commentary from his stand-up performances critiquing systemic inequality and false promises in America.

“I ain't got no problem with you giving me a job. Just don't give me any problems while I'm working.”

— Richard Pryor · From his observations about workplace dynamics and race relations in his 1970s-80s comedy albums.

“That's the trouble with science. You've got a bunch of books written by guys who are trying to prove they're smarter than everybody else.”

— Richard Pryor · Representative of his comedic skepticism toward authority and expertise that appeared in multiple routines.

“I'm not addicted to cocaine. I just like the way it smells.”

— Richard Pryor · A dark joke from his 1980s material, reflecting his later willingness to address his own substance abuse issues publicly.

“When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose.”

— Richard Pryor · A philosophical observation recurring in his commentary on poverty and survival in African American communities.

“The key to life is to laugh at your own situation so nobody else feels bad about laughing with you.”

— Richard Pryor · A core principle Pryor lived by, explaining his approach to turning painful personal experiences into comedy.

“I used to be so crazy, I thought I was sane and everybody else was nuts.”

— Richard Pryor · Self-reflective humor from his later career, particularly after his 1980 freebasing incident and recovery journey.