Dave Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for his comedy specials on Comedy Central, which he co-created and starred in. Dave Chappelle has been noted for his sharp sense of comedy that incorporates racial and political commentary in just the right amount to get viewers thinking critically about what is going on in the world.
He is also the host of two television series on BET: Dave Chappelle’s Block Party and The Dave Chappelle Show.
Dave Chappelle currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Yvonne “Chapelle” Martin, and their three children.
Here are his most inspirational quotes that will make you think and motivate you to work hard on your dreams.
33 Inspirational Dave Chappelle Quotes
1. “You know you must be doing something right if old people like you.” ― Dave Chappelle
2. “The world can’t tell you who you are. You’ve just got to figure out who you are and be there, for better or worse.” ― Dave Chappelle
3. “You got to be careful of the company you keep.” ― Dave Chappelle
4. “One of the things that happens when people make the leap from a certain amount of money to tens of millions of dollars is that the people around you dramatically change.” ― Dave Chappelle
5. “No matter how old you are, if a little kid hands you a toy phone… you answer it.” ― Dave Chappelle
6. “I started when I was 14. I figured out that’s what I wanted to do when I was 14. Even when I was six, I can remember people telling me, “You’re gonna be a comedian,” and all this stuff.” ― Dave Chappelle
7. “People don’t know what it’s like standing up there on stage when you have a wall of people smiling at you.” ― Dave Chappelle
8. “I have all these weird fantasies. Going coast-to-coast on my motorcycle and having random barbecues all over America. No show, no nothing.” ― Dave Chappelle
9. “Fame for me is like a place, a country I’m taking a tour through.” ― Dave Chappelle
10. “You know, be able to do something great in your life, you’re gonna have to realize your failures. You’re gonna have to embrace them and figure out how to overcome it.” ― Dave Chappelle
11. “You’ve got to say ‘yes’ to your destiny. Life’s happening right now, look around you. There goes some life. Come on, Mamma, live!” Dave Chappelle
12. “The hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching.” ― Dave Chappelle
13. “The worst thing to call somebody is crazy. It’s dismissive. “I don’t understand this person. So they’re crazy.” ― That’s bullshit. These people are not crazy. They strong people. Maybe their environment is a little sick.” ― Dave Chappelle
14. “After a while, a joke, if you say it too much, just becomes contrived, or fake-sounding.” ― Dave Chappelle
15. “They do what they do for money – that’s all. I don’t even know why you’re listening to me. I’ve done commercials for both Coke and Pepsi. Truth is, I can’t even taste the difference, but Pepsi paid me last, so there it is.” ― Dave Chappelle
16. “You can become famous but you can’t become unfamous. You can become infamous but not unfamous.” ― Dave Chappelle
17. “When I’m on stage, I get real happy there. Maybe that’s the only time in my adult life I feel like myself.” ― Dave Chappelle
18. “I think extreme sports are really good for relieving stress.” Dave Chappelle
19. “What did the 5 fingers say to the face. S L A P!” Dave Chappelle
20. “Everyone around me says, “You’re a genius! You’re great! That’s your voice! But I’m not sure if they’re right.” ― Dave Chappelle
21. “Weed’s not as bad as everything else, ’cause weed is a background substance. You know what I mean, you can smoke some herb and still function. You ain’t crisp, but you’ll function.” ― Dave Chappelle
22. “I’m famous today. People like me today. Might not like me tomorrow. You can’t count on it.” ― Dave Chappelle
23. “The mark of greatness is when everything before you is obsolete, and everything after you bears your mark.” ― Dave Chappelle
24. “All white people talk about when they get high is other times that they got high.” ― Dave Chappelle
25. “I enjoy my own thoughts sometimes.” ― Dave Chappelle
26. “I’m cool with failing so long as I know that there are people around me that love me unconditionally.” ― Dave Chappelle
27. “Something about New York, man: You can do more comedy there probably than you can anywhere in the world. If you’re interested in being funny, New York is the place to go.” ― Dave Chappelle
28. “If you don’t have the right people around you and you’re moving at a million miles an hour you can lose yourself.” ― Dave Chappelle
29. “Cause my life is dope, and I do dope sh*t.” ― Dave Chappelle
30. “I was doing sketches that were funny but socially irresponsible. I felt I was deliberately being encouraged and I was overwhelmed.” ― Dave Chappelle
31. “The only way you can know where the line is is if you cross it.” ― Dave Chappelle
32. “Constantly take inventory of what’s important to you.” ― Dave Chappelle
33. “If you don’t have the right people around you and you’re moving at a million miles an hour, you can lose yourself.” ― Dave Chappelle
