Dave Chappelle quotes

Dave Chappelle is an American comedian, actor, and writer, widely recognized for his sharp wit and satirical humor. His groundbreaking show "Chappelle's Show" became a cultural phenomenon and addressed complex social issues through comedy. He is celebrated for his fearless stand-up performances and thought-provoking commentary on race and society. Here are 72 of his quotes:

The mark of greatness is when everything before you is obsolete, and everything after you bears your mark.

Dave Chappelle

The worst thing to call somebody is "crazy". It's dismissive. "I don't understand this person, so they're crazy." That's bullshit. 'Cuz people are not crazy. They're strong people. Maybe the environment is a little sick.

Dave Chappelle

My house got robbed in New York. I didn't even call the police. I wanted to, but I couldn't. My crib is too nice. It's not that it's too nice, but it's too nice for me. You know how the police are in New York. Soon as I open the door, they'll be like, "He's still here! Open and shut case, Johnson. Apparently this black guy broke in and hung up pictures of his family everywhere. Never seen anything like it."

Dave Chappelle

I got myself extorted, which happens in this business. I come home from the road. There was a FedEx sitting on the kitchen table, and it was addressed to me, so I opened it. I don't know who delivered it. And there was a videocassette inside, with a note written on it that said "Gotcha." Oh, my god. Can you imagine? I freaked out. I tore the whole house apart, trying to find a VCR. I hadn't seen a tape in, like, over a decade.

Dave Chappelle

The hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching.

Dave Chappelle

Every black American is bilingual. All of them. We speak street vernacular and we speak 'job interview.'

Dave Chappelle

Something about New York, man: You can do more comedy there probably than you can anywhere in the world. If you're interested in being funny, New York is the place to go.

Dave Chappelle

America, I appreciate you liking me.

Dave Chappelle

A black man would never dream of talking to the police high. That's a waste of weed. I'm serious. I mean, I'd be scared to talk to the police when I'm sleepy.

Dave Chappelle

There's a few reasons you don't see black people at my shows. One is because, obviously, black people have slower internet connections. I mean, that would be my guess. I don't know.

Dave Chappelle

Most of the people around me have a vested interest in how much money I make. You know, so a celebrity could find themselves in a position where people could have meetings about their life without them involved. And when I say 'their life' I mean not their professional life either. They could talk about their personal life.

Dave Chappelle

You know, be able to do something great in your life, you're gonna have to realize your failures. You're gonna have to embrace them and figure out how to overcome it.

Dave Chappelle

You know you must be doing something right if old people like you.

Dave Chappelle

The world can't tell you who you are. You've just got to figure out who you are and be there, for better or worse.

Dave Chappelle

My father told me 'Name your price in the beginning. If it ever gets more expensive than the price you name, get out of there.'

Dave Chappelle

I enjoy my own thoughts sometimes.

Dave Chappelle

You got to be careful of the company you keep.

Dave Chappelle

I was doing sketches that were funny but socially irresponsible. I felt I was deliberately being encouraged and I was overwhelmed.

Dave Chappelle

The worst thing to call somebody is crazy. It's dismissive.

Dave Chappelle

One of the things that happens when people make the leap from a certain amount of money to tens of millions of dollars is that the people around you dramatically change.

Dave Chappelle

My wife asked me once if I weren't a comedian, what I would do. I couldn't answer the question. I never imagined doing anything else.

Dave Chappelle

I don't want the money. I don't want the drama. I just want to do my show. I want to have fun again.

Dave Chappelle