Peanuts (comic) Quotes
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Source: Peanuts (comic)
Author: Charles M. Schulz
I love mankind… It's people I can't stand.
Context
This line was spoken by Linus Van Pelt in the November 12, 1959 comic strip of Peanuts, written and drawn by Charles Schulz (1950-2000).
In some ways, Peanuts is the most important piece of American philosophy in the 21st century with its musings on reality, the futility of existence, and the good life. Its comedy doesn't just come from Charlie Brown falling on his face for the millionth time, but from deep, and often world-weary, lines coming from a young child, who still sucks his thumb and carries his blanket around.
In the strip where this quote comes from, Linus is telling Lucy about his aspirations to be a doctor. Of course, she undercuts his aspiration, but this time he gets the last word in as he delivers this sharp rejoinder. Linus loves humans as a race, but he detests certain individuals.
Don't we all?
Where you've heard it
You've heard a variation on this after a long day filled with annoying human beings. Anyone who works in food service or retail can definitely empathize with Linus.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Dial down the misanthropy, dude! At least in public, that is.