“Schizophrenia beats dining alone”

“Schizophrenia beats dining alone” is a joke that has been credited to American composer Oscar Levant (1906-1972) since at least 2000, but there’s no documentary evidence that he ever said it. “Schizophrenia means you’re never alone” was cited in 1973, and “Schizophrenia beats being alone” was a bumper sticker saying in 1976.
   
“Schizophrenia beats dining alone” was cited in books from 1986 and 1988, credited to “unknown.” “Schizophrenia is better than eating alone. —Oscar Levant” was cited in 2000.
 
 
30 July 1973, Times Reporter (Dover-New Philadelphia, OH), “I’d Rather Be Light” by Earl Wilson, pg. A-4, col. 2:
Schizophrenia means you’re never alone.
 
1 April 1976, Rockdale (TX) Reporter and Messenger, pg. 1, col. 1:
On back of motorcycle: “Schizophrenia Beats Being Alone.”
 
Google Books
The Best of Stan Levco
By Stan Levco
Evansville? IN: Aiken Management
1986
Pg. 116:
Schizophrenia beats dining alone.
Unknown
 
Google Books
1,911 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
By Robert Byrne
New York, NY: Fawcett, Columbine
1988
Pg. 199:
326
Schizophrenia beats dining alone.
Unknown
 
Google Books
Big Little Book of Jewish Wit & Wisdom
By Sally Ann Berk
New York, NY: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, Inc.
2000
Pg. ?:
Schizophrenia is better than eating alone. —Oscar Levant
 
Google Books
Our Muddled Millennium
By Mike Weber
New York, NY: Page Publishing, Inc.
2015
Pg. ?:
Schizophrenic to Waiter: “Table for two, please. I’m dining alone.”
 
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Oscar Levant: Schizophrenia beats dining alone. | #Quotes
7:23 AM - 2 Dec 2015