6 Stephen Leacock quotes that still shock!

Canada has a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the world's greatest comedians. From Mike Myers to Mary Walsh to the great Howie Mandel, we're a country that punches well above its weight in the haha department.

But the first—and, in our opinion, best—Canadian yukmeister was comedic novelist Stephen Leacock (1869-1944). Despite existing in a different era, Leacock was a brilliant funnyman whose words are still just as funny today as when he wrote them. Here are some of The Emperor of Humour's most hilarious quotes!

1.

"The Lord said 'let there be wheat' and Saskatchewan was born."

This is painfully funny for anyone with even a passing knowledge of Saskatchewan's culture. But first, some context: before Leacock, humourists were too afraid to make fun of wheat, Saskatchewan's most valuable crop. It took a wild-eyed troublemaker like Stephen to blow the doors open — and we're all the richer for it. The question is: what was he smoking when he thought of this? (And can we have some?!)

2.

"I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."

Not only is this quote fun to laugh at, but it's also a great example of Leacock's love affair with irony. Far from championing the concept of "luck," Leacock is actually endorsing of the Protestant work ethic, like a true comedy bad boy. We love this quote!

3.

"I detest life insurance agents: they always argue that I shall someday die, which is not so."

Talk about punching up! Although this joke seems mild by today's standards, it caused outrage when first printed, with representatives from the insurance industry calling for Leacock's arrest. Tough crowd, much? (Sadly, Leacock's joke has a tragic ending; despite claiming his immortality, he passed away in 1944 at the age of 74 and is buried in Sutton, Ontario.)

4.

"The tears of childhood fall fast and easily, and evil be to him who makes them flow."

Right???

5.

"The classics are only primitive literature. They belong to the same class as primitive machinery and primitive music and primitive medicine."

Ouch! Let's hope that Plato, Cicero and especially Aristophanes never see this goofy quote that relegates their work to history's trash heap. If they did, they'd probably go ballistic and beat the living tar out of Stephen Leacock, who sadly died in 1944.

6.

"Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it."

Look, we're not saying that the writers of Mad Men stole the idea for their show from this Stephen Leacock quote, but the similarities are a little striking. Either way, this oft-told joke has been making Canadians burst into laughter for over 80 years. Thank you, Stephen!

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