Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when you fall into an open manhole and die. Author: Mel Brooks Copy Quote More from Mel Brooks “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and…” “It's good to be the king.” “Look at Jewish history. Unrelieved lamenting would be intolerable. So for every…” “Everything we do in life is based on fear, especially love.”