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About this quote

What does it mean?
A dark joke claiming saliva causes cancer only if swallowed in small amounts over a long time.
In plain terms
He mocks warnings by stating the obvious in a twisted way.
What can you take from it?
Dose makes the poison, but context matters.

Where it applies

  • health warnings
  • comedy
  • skepticism

Putting it to work

  • check sources
  • verify claims
  • stay skeptical

Questions to consider

  • How do we trust health data?
  • What makes a warning valid?

Another view

It risks minimizing real health risks.

More from George Carlin

  1. Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right. As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established.

    Permalink to quote #135
  2. I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work.

    Permalink to quote #137
  3. I never eat sushi. I have trouble eating things that are merely unconscious.

    Permalink to quote #134

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