Happy Birthday 2008 to the Dynamic Duo, Mahatma Gandhi and Groucho Marx

by Robert Wilkinson

Yes, in one of history's great ironies, two of the greatest beings of the 20th century were born on the same birthday, October 2. They both punctured imperialists and fascist thinking with every phrase they spoke, and each had an amazing sense of humor. A great example of the illumination power of the ridiculous and the sublime existing as one. Today we give a big birthday shout-out to the Mahatma and Groucho.

From last year's tribute to the Mahatma, a piece:

Though many think of him as a caricature of a kindly old man, or a hopelessly naive advocate for a non-violence believed impossible to achieve, Mohandas Gandhi, a.k.a. "the Mahatma" (Great Spirit) gave us all the only sane technique for restoring peace in our ridiculously divided and aggressive world. Today we take a new look at some of his great quotes, among them: "Gandhi was once asked what he thought about western civilization. His response was: 'I think it would be a good idea.'"

Gotta love anyone with that sense of humor. If you want more memorable quotes, last year's post can take you to quite a few of my favorites. If you want grist for the mill of your Soul, and the Soul of humanity and our world, please check out A Happy 138th Birthday To Mahatma Gandhi.

As a bonus, by following the internal links you can find a) the quotes I mentioned in the earlier article "Happy Birthday To One of the Greatest Beings Ever to Walk the Earth - Mahatma Gandhi" as well as b) a separate article which was my response to Dr. Laura Schlessinger when she challenged me on Gandhi's approach to non-violence. Enjoy, and offer a moment of appreciation to one of the most remarkable men ever to walk this Earth.

And now the other half of this unlikely pair. A big Happy Birthday to the inimitable Groucho Marx, a wit unlike any before or since, and as much of a cultural icon as anyone who ever raised his eyebrow or smoked a cigar. This was a guy who gave us some of the most memorable lines in history:

"Time wounds all heels"

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others."

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

"Military justice is to justice what military music is to music."

"Military intelligence is a contradiction in terms."

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

For more of his timeless wit and wisdom, please check out From the Sublime to the Ridiculous - Happy Birthday to Groucho Marx (who happens to share a birthday with Mahatma Gandhi!)

As the Firesign Theater once proclaimed, "All Hail Marx and Lennon!" May we always have a wit who punctures the pompous elites and warmongers in our world that take themselves waaaaay too seriously.

© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson