5 phrases from Groucho Marx that transmit valuable lessons for your life

Groucho Marx’s phrases are so numerous, that even some witty occurrences from other people are already attributed to this renowned actor. That is why it is always worth remembering the excellent reflections of this character who was able to transcend the big screen.

Groucho Marx was known for his famous films with unforgettable phrases such as: “These are my principles. If you do not like, I have others”. A phrase that, far from humor, hides a fierce criticism of a certain hypocrisy that reigns in a good part of the world’s societies.

Thus, due to the actor’s wit and acid humor, we thought it was an excellent idea to recover some of Groucho Marx’s best phrases. Let’s see if we can dissect the fine irony of his sentences and find the thick layer of criticism behind it.

Groucho Marx’s 5 best phrases explained

Among the memorable phrases of this great actor we find:

1. “It is better to be silent and appear stupid than to speak and clear up doubts definitively.”

It is popularly said that “if what you are going to say does not improve the silence, it is better to remain silent.” It seems that Groucho Marx was much more acidic, but equally accurate.

I don’t think Marx really meant to say that everyone is stupid. Probably His intention was to remember that many people talk excessively, beyond what is purely necessary. So, if we don’t have much to contribute, maybe it’s a good idea to stay quiet.

2. “Marriage is the main cause of divorce.”

There are people who even feel offended when they hear this phrase. However, it is a great truth. If there were no marriage, there would be no divorce.No?

Both in cases in which a legal union occurs and in those couples who are only together romantically, It is evident that separation can only occur in people who, in one way or another, have come together at a given moment, and whose relationship ends after a while.

However, we tend to see divorce or breakups as a catastrophe, and perhaps it doesn’t have to be that way. Maybe we shouldn’t judge relationships based on their duration., but according to its quality. A couple may be happy for a time, but for some reason their values, priorities or ways of thinking may change and because of this, they may prefer to go their separate ways.

3. “I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I retreat to another room and read a book.”

Groucho Marx was much more than a comic actor. Actually, He was a great thinker, and, in fact, he was a great writer. He published a couple of memoirs and many stories, such as the curious Memoirs of a mangy lover. Hence, it is striking that a man dedicated to the world of entertainment had that television image.

Marx sensed a certain drift from the television medium towards low-quality programming and empty entertainment. In fact, his films radiated irreverent humor, but also fierce criticism, as we see in some of his key works such as Goose Soup.

4. “Politics is the art of looking for problems, finding them, making a false diagnosis, and then applying the wrong remedies.”

With what we have seen so far about Groucho Marx, capable of hiding great social criticism in pills of sarcasm, it is not surprising that politics was not freed from his bitingness either.

It is evident that Marx’s vision towards rulers was quite critical. Look for problems where there are none, find erroneous recipes as solutions and then, to make matters worse, try to remedy them for your audience using the wrong methods. It seems like you can’t go wrong anymore, right?

5. “I would never belong to a club that would admit someone like me as a member.”

Without a doubt, this is one of Groucho Marx’s best phrases and at the same time most biting. A harsh criticism of hypocrisy, of that friendly face that many people offer, but that bears no resemblance to their true intentions. The good thing about Marx is that he begins by criticizing himself. Or, perhaps to speak his mind, he believes that he would not fit in with any club?

These are only 5, but there are many more famous phrases. That’s why we don’t want to stop remembering, among Groucho Marx’s best phrases, others like:

“Military intelligence are two contradictory terms.” “The secret of success is honesty. If you can avoid it, it’s done.”“There are so many things in life more important than money! But they cost so much!”You might be interested…