Nothing says nostalgic, lazy weekend mornings quite like reading the Sunday funnies. Whether at the kitchen table, spread out belly-down on the living room floor, or kicking back in the family room, there’s never a right or wrong way to enjoy comic strips like Calvin & Hobbes or Peanuts. Beyond just giving us iconic characters such as Snoopy, Garfield, and Dilbert, these Sunday comics also contain troves of wisdom tucked into their multi-paneled strips — courtesy of the wise yet childlike cartoonists behind them.
Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin & Hobbes, spoke of the importance of approaching every day with curiosity, just like his two titular characters, in a 1990 commencement speech at Kenyon College. “A playful mind is inquisitive, and learning is fun,” he said. “If you indulge your natural curiosity and retain a sense of fun in new experiences, I think you’ll find it functions as a sort of shock absorber for the bumpy road ahead.”
Charles M. Schulz, who created the much-beloved comic strip Peanuts, had this to say about the importance of levity: “If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself.”
We’ve compiled 11 of the most inspiring quotes straight from the speech and thought bubbles of our favorite comic strip characters. Because who doesn’t love a good pick-me-up, whether or not it’s a Sunday morning.
Everyone seeks happiness! Not me, though! That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world. Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!Calvin, from "Calvin & Hobbes," on expectations
You can’t hurry love or pizza. Especially pizza.Snoopy, from "Peanuts," on love
Just remember… if things look hopeless, maybe you’re facing the wrong direction!Ziggy, from "Ziggy," on having the right attitude
Learn from yesterday, live for today, look to tomorrow, rest this afternoon.Charlie Brown, from "Peanuts," on pacing
Calvin: They say the world is a stage. But obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines.Hobbes: Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.Calvin and Hobbes, from "Calvin & Hobbes," on the tragicomedy of life
Calvin: We need more special effects and dance numbers.
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘What can I do to keep my life from going by so fast?’ Then a voice comes to me that says, "Try slowing down at the corners."Charlie Brown, from "Peanuts," on the speed of life
I say, if your knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to really re-examine your life.Calvin, from "Calvin & Hobbes," on finding the joys in life
Life is like a hot bath: It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay, the more wrinkled you get.Garfield the cat, from "Garfield," on the experience of life and living
The problem with people is that they’re only human.Hobbes, from "Calvin & Hobbes," on the limitations of humanity
Most psychiatrists agree that sitting in a pumpkin patch is excellent therapy for a troubled mind.Linus Van Pelt, from "Peanuts," on an easy way to clear the mind
They say the best way is just to live one day at a time. If you try to live seven days at a time, the week will be over before you know it.Sally Brown, from "Peanuts," on living in the moment
Photo credit: Fotos International/ Getty Images
