Harvey Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by Elwood P. Dowd (played by Jimmy Stewart) in the film Harvey, directed by Henry Koster (1950).

Before Roger Rabbit, the most famous rabbit in movies was Harvey, a six-foot-tall rabbit who was Elwood P. Dowd's best friend. Unlike Roger Rabbit, a raucous cartoon mischief-maker, Henry is imaginary and invisible. Most people accept Elwood's imaginary friend, but his sister tries to have Elwood committed to a sanatorium, which is like an asylum from American Horror Story, but with fewer crazy nuns and killer Santas.

But Elwood has no desire to ditch his iBFF (imaginary BFF). He explains, "Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Elwood has created a happier place for himself that harms no one. Why would anyone want to take that away?

Where you've heard it

You've heard this from someone who isn't quite attached to reality, but is happy—maybe even happier than she or he would be in the real world—nonetheless. If you don't like the world you live in, why not create your own?

Additional Notable References:

• The quote has been used in Abnormal Psychology textbooks.

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.

It's impossible to be pretentious and hallucinating six-foot-tall rabbits. Really, pretending to have an imaginary best friend is one of the most earnest and endearing things a person can do.