Who said “Be awfully nice to them going up, because you're gonna meet them all coming down.”?

Misattributed

Not Jimmy Durante. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundNot by Jimmy Durante. Earliest known source: Wilson Mizner, San Francisco Chronicle (5 July 1932).

Evidence: Quote Investigator · Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“Be awfully nice to them going up, because you're gonna meet them all coming down.”
— Jimmy Durante
MisattributedNot by Jimmy Durante. Earliest known source: Wilson Mizner, San Francisco Chronicle (5 July 1932). · evidenceSuccess

Cite this quote

APA

“Be awfully nice to them going up, because you're gonna meet them all coming down.” [Quotation attributed to Jimmy Durante]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38887-be-awfully-nice-to-them-going-up-because/

MLA

“Be awfully nice to them going up, because you're gonna meet them all coming down.” Attributed to Jimmy Durante. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38887-be-awfully-nice-to-them-going-up-because/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Be awfully nice to them going up, because you're gonna meet them all coming down.” Attributed to Jimmy Durante. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38887-be-awfully-nice-to-them-going-up-because/.

Related quotes