“When I hear somebody sigh that ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’”

“When I hear somebody sigh that ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’” is a jocular line about life’s troubles that has been printed on many images. American journalist Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986) included the line in his newspaper column, “Strictly Personal,” on April 6, 1953, and later in the book, Strictly Personal (1953).
 
     
Wikipedia: Sydney J. Harris
Sydney J. Harris (September 14, 1917 – December 7, 1986) was an American journalist for the Chicago Daily News and, later, the Chicago Sun-Times. He wrote 11 books and his weekday column, “Strictly Personal,” was syndicated in approximately 200 newspapers throughout the United States and Canada.
 
6 April 1953, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “Strictly Personal” by Sydney J. Harris, pg. 35, col. 1:
When I hear somebody sigh that “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”
   
Google Books
Strictly Personal
By Sydney J. Harris
Washington, DC: Henry Regnery Company
1953
Pg. 241:
When I hear somebody sigh that “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”
 
Google Books
And I Quote:
The Definitive Collection of Quotes, Sayings, and Jokes for the Contemporary Speechmaker
By Ashton Applewhite, William R. Evans III and Andrew Frothingham
New York, NY: St, Martin’s Press
1992
Pg. 177:
When I hear somebody sigh, “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?” — Sydney J. Harris
 
Google Books
Inspiration for a Lifetime:
Words of Wisdom, Delight, and Possibility
By Allen Klein
Berkeley, CA: Viva Editions
2010
Pg. ?:
When I hear somebody sigh, “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”
SYDNEY J. HARRIS
   
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2:13 PM - 24 May 2017