"The sanity of the average banquet speaker lasts about two and a half months; at the end of that time he begins to mutter to himself, and calls out in his sleep"

This quote by James Thurber is a funny observation of the life of a banquet speaker. It implies that the average banquet speaker is not able to sustain their sanity for very long due to the dullness of their job. After 2 and a half months of speaking at banquets, the speaker starts to feel the impacts of the tediousness of their job. They start to end up being psychologically unsteady, speaking to themselves and having headaches. This quote is a suggestion of the value of having a job that is mentally stimulating and interesting, as it can have a significant effect on one's mental health. It likewise acts as a warning to those thinking about a profession as a banquet speaker, as it might not be the most fulfilling job in the long run.