"Men will confess to treason, murder, arson, false teeth, or a wig. How many of them will own up to a lack of humor?"
- Frank Moore Colby
About this Quote
This quote by Frank Moore Colby is a funny way of mentioning how individuals are often reluctant to admit to particular weak points or defects. Colby is suggesting that individuals are most likely to confess to severe criminal offenses such as treason, murder, and arson than they are to confess to something as seemingly small as wearing a wig or false teeth. He is also implying that individuals are even less likely to admit to a lack of humor, which is a quality that lots of people think about to be a vital part of their identity. Colby's quote is a humorous way of highlighting how individuals are typically reluctant to confess to particular weak points or flaws, even when they are relatively small. It is a reminder that individuals ought to be more open and honest about their imperfections, as it can be a liberating experience.
"The head of the CIA, it seems to me, would think long and hard before he admitted that former employees of his had been involved in the murder of the President of the United States-even if they weren't acting on behalf of the Agency when they did it"
"It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too much. I can see myself doing it. In England, one feels all the social restraints holding one back. But here, anything can happen"
