"Screaming at children over their grades, especially to the point of the child's tears, is child abuse, pure and simple. It's not funny and it's not good parenting. It is a crushing, scarring, disastrous experience for the child. It isn't the least bit funny."

Humor

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Humor as articulated by Ben Stein. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Humor provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Ben Stein

Benjamin Jeremy Stein is an American writer, lawyer, actor, economist, comedian, and commentator on political and economic issues. He began his career as a speechwriter for U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford before entering the entertainment field as an actor, comedian, and game show host. His screen roles include the economics teacher in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, being the host of Win Ben Stein's Money, and as Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and Son of the Mask. Stein also co-wrote and starred in the controversial 2008 film Expelled which was widely criticized for promoting pseudoscientific intelligent design creationist claims. Stein is the son of economist and writer Herbert Stein, who worked at the White House under President Nixon. As an actor, he is known for his droning, monotonous delivery. In comedy, Stein is known for his deadpan delivery.

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More by Ben Stein

"It's really amazing that in the age of unbelief, as a smart man called it, there isn't even more fraud. After all, with no God, there's no one to ever call you to account, and no accounting at all if you can get away with it."

— Ben Stein
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"Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will."

— Ben Stein
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"Greed is a basic part of animal nature. Being against it is like being against breathing or eating. It means nothing."

— Ben Stein
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"If you want to fight the evil you see in finance and industry, get to work reading the corporate filings, see if there has been fraud, and where you find it, report it to the SEC or write about it or blog about it."

— Ben Stein
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More about Humor

"I've met a lot of people who've lost their jobs and they still have a sense of humor."

— Louis C. K.
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"A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities."

— Herman Melville
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"Especially while television I think is going through some growing pains or is in need of - I think current comedy is a bit, uh, not happening, you know?"

— Jenna Elfman
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"Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between both, more bewitching than either."

— Henry Ward Beecher
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