Quotes from Gary Larson

Every one of these cartoons is just something that drifted into my head when I was alone with my thoughts. And, for better or worse, I 'jotted' them down. It was only later, when perhaps I received an angry letter from someone, that it struck me: Hey! Someone's been reading my diary!

All we are is a species, like millions of others. I think it's dangerous to think otherwise.

As a kid I used to raise snakes. Obviously, my social life was a bit down at the time. But it took me a while to realise that with an interest like that people are going to think there's something wrong with you.

I've drawn some things that have fallen very flat.

Taking a solo on a tune is always a little bit scary.

I just get silly inside my head and I start to think about something and in my head I start twisting it around, contorting it and envisioning it in different ways.

If I didn't understand a cartoon in a newspaper, I'd just turn the page.

A long time ago, I became aware that many of us have a tendency to lump nature into simplistic categories, such as what we consider beautiful or ugly, important or unimportant. As human a thing as that is to do, I think it often leads us to misunderstand the respective roles of life forms and their interconnectedness.

A lot of people think I'm going to be like someone who's stepped out of one of his own cartoons. And maybe I am. But I sure have a hard time analyzing it.

Don Martin was the one who really stood out. I really always loved his work. He was such a great artist.

Sometimes I'm convinced that one day I'm going to draw the cartoon that offends everyone, and that'll be the end.

I remember one time watching a bird snatch a dragonfly out of midair and thinking, 'Gee, life can come to an end - crunch! - just like that.'

I was so intrigued by insects and things that crawled or flew - I could spend hours by myself in a vacant lot.

Morbid humor is very valid, even healthy, as long as you don't do it gratuitously.

I think one thing that's important to maintain is a sense of fear, always doubting yourself... a good dose of insecurity helps your work in some ways.

You always hear a headline like this, 'Man Killed By Shark', you never hear it from the other perspective, 'Man Swims in Shark Infested Waters, Forgets He's Shark Food'.

What is that mountain goat doing way up here in the clouds?