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---
description: From the offbeat to the downright offensive, a look back at the conservative pundit&#x27;s greatest hits
title: Stephen Colbert&#x27;s 9 Truthiest &#x27;Colbert Report&#x27; Quips
image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89a14ba136f5a020/698687f0361760b0e090b2f0/3colbert-close-up5470-1.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=3840&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
---

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# Stephen Colbert's 9 Truthiest _Colbert Report_ Quips


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[Samantha Grossman](/author/samantha-grossman/)


## Samantha Grossman


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Dec 15, 2014 5:00 PM CUT

!["The Colbert Report" Salutes The Troops](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89a14ba136f5a020/698687f0361760b0e090b2f0/3colbert-close-up5470-1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 8: Host Stephen Colbert appears during the "Been There: Won That: The Returnification of the American-Do Troopscapeon" special of The Colbert Report on September 8, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 8: Host Stephen Colbert appears during the "Been There: Won That: The Returnification of the American-Do Troopscapeon" special of The Colbert Report on September 8, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/PictureGroup)Scott Gries—Picturegroup/Comedy Central

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[Samantha Grossman](/author/samantha-grossman/)


## Samantha Grossman


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Dec 15, 2014 5:00 PM CUT

Stephen Colbert’s eponymous alter ago—known for his hyper-conservative views and aggressively misinformed opinions—loves to talk. A lot. So much that it can be easy, at times, to miss some of his brilliantly absurd quips.

So, to honor the faux pundit as he prepares for the last episode of _The Colbert Report_, we rounded up nine of his best lines—some that you probably remember, and others that you might have missed. From the offbeat to the downright offensive, here’s a look back at Colbert’s greatest hits.

**1\. “Yesterday was full of losses for America, the greatest of which was beloved civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. Which brings us to tonight’s word: overrated.”**

**2\. “I don’t trust books—they’re all fact, no heart.”**

**3\. “George Walker Bush: great president, or the greatest president?”**

**4\. “Anyone can** **_read_** **the news** **_to_** **you. I promise to** **_feel_** **the news…** **_at_** **you.”**

**5\. “…Which brings me to the No. 1 threat to America… stripper bears.”**

**6\. “Folks, the skinnification of the American jeanscape has gone too far.”**


**7\. “I can’t stand people who disagree with me on the issue of Roe v. Wade … which I believe is about the proper way to cross a lake.”**

**8\. “Christianity is the best way to cure gayness—just get on your knees, take a swig of wine, and accept the body of a man into your mouth.”**

**9\. “Equations are the devil’s sentences.”**

And, for good measure, here’s a quote from the out-of-character version of Stephen Colbert, when [asked](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-colbert-report/ "undefined") to describe his conservative alter ego: **“I think of him as a well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot.”**

### See 13 Stephen Colbert Cameos You Might Have Missed

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt89bb425e7024606b/69876aa8f887dc089de88916/stephen-colbert-01.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Lake-town Spy Todd Eyre—Warner Bros.

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt038ec6956ed7a365/69876aa9e20a8771d4a83917/stephen-colbert-02.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Exit 57 - Various Characters (pictured top left) Comedy Central


![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfa05c57f5dc3e4fe/69876aa95f570f895cb13c34/stephen-colbert-03.jpg?branch=production&width=1920&quality=75&auto=webp)

Dana Carvey Show - Various Characters ABC

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4a67957ad713bff1/69876aa98e06017713458ca7/stephen-colbert-04.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Strangers With Candy - Chuck Noblet Comedy Central

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt36a9b8b7d22cea63/69876aaa2dce013ff59dbfad/stephen-colbert-05.jpg?branch=production&width=1920&quality=75&auto=webp)

Missing Persons - Chet Davies ABC


![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1fbaf3992d0d96cf/69876aaaa988ca3fcf6aaf2a/stephen-colbert-06.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Saturday Night Live - Ace, The Ambiguously Gay Duo (pictured left) NBC

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt08f2361db11aa8d8/69876aaa3c163942204502ce/stephen-colbert-07.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp)

Spin City - Frank ABC

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltff1bebb12f35be87/69876aab0b72e3d2516dc221/stephen-colbert-08.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Simpsons - Colby Krause (pictured right) Fox


![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt79e97ce666146f16/69876aab3c1639e4694502d3/stephen-colbert-09.jpg?branch=production&width=1920&quality=75&auto=webp)

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Tourist HBO

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6bdec0ae41af8619/69876aab5f570f0e9eb13c41/stephen-colbert-10.jpg?branch=production&width=1440&quality=75&auto=webp)

American Dad! - Dr. R. Dandliker (pictured left) Fox

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbff6e69e837a812f/69876aac2dce01c9ef9dbfb5/stephen-colbert-11.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Bewitched - Stu Robinson (pictured left) Columbia


![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltec04ea085a0d0ac5/69876aac428a9e3921cc5980/stephen-colbert-12.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Mr. Peabody & Sherman - Paul Peterson 20th Century Fox

![Stephen Colbert](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt93bf6f20ac9c4d00/69876aac3c1639124b4502d7/stephen-colbert-13.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Monsters vs Aliens - President Hathaway Dreamworks

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