Table of Contents
Introduction
Calvin and Hobbes is a famous American comic strip created by cartoonist Bill Watterson that ran from 1985 to 1995.
The comic quickly earned widespread fame for its witty humor, insightful quotes, and Bill Watterson’s masterful storytelling mixed with universal reflections on life while growing up.
Whether you’re six or sixty, the themes of imagination, friendship, humor, and deep philosophical questions about life in Calvin and Hobbes resonate with readers of all ages.
In this blog post, I’ve shared 37 best Calvin and Hobbes quotes on life, growing up, friendship, happiness, and love. I’ve also shared a few funny Calvin and Hobbes quotes in the end. So, let’s dive in…
8 Best Calvin and Hobbes Quotes on Life
Sometimes when I’m talking, my words can’t keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak. Probably so we can think twice.
Calvin and Hobbes
I wondered, is it better to do the right thing & fail or is it better to do the wrong thing and succeed?
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If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.
Calvin and Hobbes
Life is full of surprises,
Calvin and Hobbes
but never when you need one.
Brief Analysis
While our life is this grand, unpredictable adventure, the catch is, when you’re desperately hoping for a surprise to bail you out of a tough situation, life seems to play hide-and-seek.
It’s almost as if life has this strange sense of timing, and just when you’ve hoped for a curveball, things go according to plan.
But isn’t that the beauty of it all? This Calvin and Hobbes quote is a perfect reminder that life’s surprises have their own agenda, and they might not always align with ours.
So, let’s appreciate life’s surprises as they come, whether or not they show up precisely when we think we need them. After all, the most magical surprises are often the ones we never saw coming!
Also Read: 74 Best Winnie the Pooh Quotes on Friendship, Life, Love, Goodbye, Memories, Adventure & Honey
Life’s a lot more fun when you aren’t responsible for your actions.
Calvin and Hobbes
Calvin’s Dad:
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The world isn’t fair, Calvin.
Calvin:
I know Dad,
but why isn’t it ever unfair in my favour?
If people could put rainbows in zoos, they’d do it.
Calvin and Hobbes
If you care, you just get disappointed all the time. If you don’t care, nothing matters, so you’re never upset.
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Brief Analysis
We’ve all been there… Whenever we care deeply about something, life pulls us under the rug at some point.
But wait, there’s a twist to it. If you decide not to care at all, nothing can worry you because, well, you’re cruising through life with an “I don’t care” attitude.
Now, there’s a paradox here. Caring too much equals disappointment, but not caring means nothing matters. It’s a delicate balance of emotions.
So, what’s the takeaway? As this Calvin and Hobbes quote about life tells us, life is this wild, unpredictable journey, and maybe, just maybe, the key is to care just enough to stay engaged and passionate without letting disappointment be your constant companion.
8 Calvin and Hobbes Quotes on Growing Up
I think grown ups just act like they know what they’re doing.
Calvin and Hobbes
Brief Analysis
This Calvin and Hobbes quote on growing up taps into the universal idea that maybe, just maybe, adults are just playing an elaborate game of pretend.
How? Because they’re dealing with jobs, bills, and responsibilities, and they’re doing it with this poker face that says, “I’ve got this under control.”
But here’s the thing: underneath that facade, they might be just as clueless as the average person.
In other words, adulthood doesn’t come with a roadmap, and sometimes, the best way to handle things is to channel your inner kid and approach challenges with a healthy dose of curiosity.
Further Reading: Adulthood: The time you get serious about the rest of your life
History is the fiction we invent to persuade ourselves that events are knowable and that life has order and direction. That’s why events are always reinterpreted when values change. We need new versions of history to allow for our current prejudices.
Calvin and Hobbes
Nothing spoils fun like finding out it builds character.
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So the secret to good self-esteem is to lower your expectations to the point where they’re already met?
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The truth is, most of us DISCOVER where we are heading when we ARRIVE.
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Brief Analysis
Calvin, the philosophical six-year-old, and his trusty tiger companion, Hobbes, have dropped some serious wisdom bombs on us in Calvin and Hobbes comics by Bill Watterson. Just take this quote from Calvin and Hobbes, for example, “The truth is, most of us DISCOVER where we are heading when we ARRIVE.”
Think about it… We make plans, set goals, and dream big dreams, but let’s be real – how often does life throw us a curveball, and our plans are suddenly shattered with uncertainty?
We’re all on this wild ride in life, and sometimes the destination isn’t revealed until we’ve already pulled into the station. It’s like we’re explorers in our own story, and the plot unfolds as we go along.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Maybe it’s all about embracing uncertainty. It’s about learning, growing, and discovering who we are along the way. Sure, we might not always know where we’re going, but the beauty is in the journey itself.
Also Read: 25 Best Banksy Quotes on Art, Graffiti, Capitalism & Advertising
How old do you have to be before you know what’s going on?
Calvin and Hobbes
Mom says death is as natural as birth, and it’s all part of the life cycle. She says we don’t really understand it, but there are many things we don’t understand, and we just have to do the best we can with the knowledge we have. I guess that makes sense.
Calvin and Hobbes
It’s a hard, bitter, cruel world to have to grow up in, Hobbes.
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4 Calvin and Hobbes Quotes on Friendship
Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend.
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Brief Analysis
This delightful Calvin and Hobbes quote on friendship captures the essence of friendship and its magical ability to turn impossible things into doable ones.
Sometimes, having a friend is like having a secret weapon against the monsters under the bed. When life throws its curveballs, and the world seems a bit too overwhelming, having that one special person who has your back can make all the difference.
The wisdom in this quote about friendship is that companionship has this remarkable power to dilute fear. It’s not about the absence of challenges or uncertainties; it’s about facing them with a friend someone who brings courage and warmth to the journey.
In other words, with a best friend by our side, the world becomes an adventure rather than a daunting expedition.
Why isn’t my life like a situation comedy? Why don’t I have a bunch of friends with nothing better to do but drop by and instigate wacky adventures? Why aren’t my conversations peppered with spontaneous witticisms? Why don’t my friends demonstrate heartfelt concern for my well-being when I have problems?… I gotta get my life some writers.
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“I didn’t get you a present, but you’re my best friend in the world, Hobbes.”
“You’re my best friend, too. I think that’s a great gift.”
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I wish people were more like animals. Animals don’t try to change you or make you fit in. They just enjoy the pleasure of your company. Animals aren’t conditional about friendships. Animals like you just the way you are. They listen to your problems, they comfort you when you’re sad, and all they ask in return is a little kindness.
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6 Calvin and Hobbes Quotes on Happiness
Everybody seeks happiness! Not me, though! That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world. Happiness isn’t good enough for me!
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I demand euphoria!
Brief Analysis
While most people are content with the warm and fuzzy feeling of happiness, Calvin wants “euphoria!”, the ultimate level of happiness.
It’s as if he’s on a quest for the kind of joy that’s over the top. It’s like he is chasing after that feeling that sends shivers down your spine.
In a way, this Calvin and Hobbes quote on happiness urges us to dream a little bigger and to seek those moments that make us feel like we’re on cloud nine.
In short, life’s too short to settle for just being “happy” when we could be dancing in the rain, laughing until our sides hurt, and experiencing the kind of euphoria that makes us feel truly alive.
Also Read: 53 Eckhart Tolle Quotes on Life, Love, Happiness, letting Go & the Power of Now (Explained)
Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure.
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When you get something, it’s new and exciting. When you have something, you take it for granted and it’s boring.
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“Life could be worse, Calvin.”
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“Life could be a lot better, Too!”
We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.
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Brief Analysis
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to become consumed by the future—the deadlines, goals, and challenges that lie just beyond our current view.
We’re constantly plotting our next move, and worrying about what’s around the corner. But in doing so, we risk missing out on the beauty and richness of the present moment—the very moment we’re living right now.
It’s like running a race with your eyes fixed solely on the finish line, oblivious to the vibrant scenery along the way.
And this quote on happiness from Calvin and Hobbes reminds us to pause and appreciate the journey, and to find joy in the small, seemingly ordinary moments that make up our daily existence.
I’m killing time while I wait for life to shower me with meaning and happiness.
Calvin and Hobbes
3 Calvin and Hobbes Quotes on Love
I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.
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Brief Analysis
This Calvin and Hobbes quote on love perfectly sums up the essence of the emotional connection between dreams and relationships.
Imagine you’re separated from someone you care about. Life can be tough when distance keeps you apart, right? Well, that’s where the power of dreams comes in.
Dreams are sometimes a way to bridge the gap between those we hold dear. After all, in the realm of dreams, distance becomes irrelevant, and time is no longer a barrier.
So, the next time you find yourself missing someone, take comfort in the idea that, in the world of dreams, you’re never truly apart.
If good things lasted forever, would we appreciate how precious they are?
Calvin and Hobbes
The best presents don’t come in boxes.
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8 Funny Calvin and Hobbes Quotes
People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don’t realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.
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Brief Analysis
Calvin, the witty philosopher from Calvin and Hobbes, perfectly captures this idea that sometimes, people assume being a super genius is an absolute blast but what they overlook is the Herculean task of tolerating the less-than-geniuses of the world.
It’s not just a matter of dealing with folks who don’t grasp the intricacies of your genius; it’s about maintaining sanity in a world that occasionally feels full of absurdity.
Imagine trying to explain the theory of relativity to someone who thinks time travel is possible by microwaving a clock. Frustrating, right?
This funny quote from Calvin and Hobbes is a reminder that even the brightest minds have their moments of head-shaking disbelief at the idiocy of the world around them. And sometimes, life’s all about gracefully enduring those who are still decoding the mysteries of everyday life.
Also Read: Feeling Stressed Out? Try These Easy-to-Follow Tips to Find Calm & Balance
Who was the first guy that look at a cow and said, “I think that I’ll drink whatever comes out of those things when I squeeze them?
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In my opinion, we don’t devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks.
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I don’t know which is worse: that everyone has his price, or that the price is always so low.
Calvin and Hobbes
Given that sooner or later, we’re all just going to die, what’s the point of learning about integers?
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Brief Analysis
This Calvin and Hobbes funny quote is not dissing math; it’s just like pondering over our usual existential crisis. It’s like saying, “Why study numbers when we’re just specks of stardust in this huge universe?” It’s hilarious because, well, it’s not wrong.
We spend years grappling with equations and formulas, and for what? To decipher the secrets of the universe? Maybe.
But in the grand scheme of life, integers might seem as relevant as knowing the square root of a jellybean. Useless.
This quote just shows us the absurdity of our existence and the things we fret upon so seriously, when in fact, they don’t matter as much.
Here I am, waiting for the bus. Eleven more years of school to go. Then college, then maybe graduate school, and then I work until I die.
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I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information.
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People always make the mistake of thinking art is created for them. But really, art is a private language for sophisticates to congratulate themselves on their superiority to the rest of the world. As my artist’s statement explains, my work is utterly incomprehensible and is therefore full of deep significance.
Calvin and Hobbes
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