Yogi Berraisms

I have a hard time with what many people find to be humorous. Humor often seems to be cruel or hurtful or at someone else’s expense, and that is not good.

However, if an intelligent person seems to cultivate some aspect of his own personality that others find humorous or this person laughs at it himself, and what is said truly is not malicious, then I can enjoy a few chuckles too.

Some of the recorded, or reputed, sayings of Yogi Berra fall into this category. This former all-star Major League baseball player and manager has become a cultural icon, and some of his sayings have found their way into all levels of public discourse. Many of his observations contain more wisdom than one may realize. To wit:

• If you come to a fork in the road, take it.
• Money often costs too much. (also attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson)
• You can observe a lot by watching.
• You’ve got to communicate all the time. I also did a lot of talking.
• We make too many wrong mistakes. The best way to avoid mistakes is by not making them.
• A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.
• It’s not over ‘til it’s over.
• If you can’t imitate ‘em, don’t copy ‘em.
• Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.
• It gets late early out here.
• The future ain’t what it used to be.
• If nothing works when you’re in a slump and you’ve tried everything, then my advice is to try something new.
• In spring training someone asked what size cap I wore. I said, ‘I don’t know, I’m not in shape yet.’
• Most people know me by my face.
• We have a good time together, even when we are not together.
• I really didn’t say everything I said.
• Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise they won’t go to yours.

Something to think about. Have a nice life.