Jon Stewart quotes - departing Daily Show host's best lines

Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, has announced he will step down from his role as presenter later this year. The US comedian made the announcement on-air after news leaked that his 17-year stint was coming to an end.

Stewart was "close to tears", reports The Guardian, as he told his audience: "In my heart I know it is time for someone else... I don't have any specific plans. Got a lot of ideas. I got a lot of things in my head."

Stewart, who also served as executive producer of The Daily Show, attracted 2.2 million viewers per night with his sharp political satire and frank, provocative approach, which earned him the title of most trusted news journalist in America. There were even those who wanted him to run for president.

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The 52-year-old once said insomnia was his "greatest inspiration" and described his job as "throwing spitballs from the back of the room". But Stewart also maintained that The Daily Show's job was to entertain, not inform.

However, Stewart was always at the cutting edge of the news agenda. Here is how he saw the news and some the key news stories in his time as presenter:

On The Daily Show: "Originally we were going to title it The Daily Show With Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays Off, but it was too long."

On news: "I have complete faith in the continued absurdity of whatever's going on."

"The bias of the mainstream media is toward sensationalism, conflict, and laziness."

"If we amplify everything, we hear nothing."

On Fox: "I visit Fox News every now and again, and it's nice, because the Eye of Mordor is above the building."

On journalistic ethics: "If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies."

On gay marriage: "Divorce isn't caused because 50 per cent of marriages end in gayness."

On wealth and privilege: "I don't care about wealth. What seems to be upsetting is institutionalising the advantages that wealth gives you."

On tax: "To the people who are upset about their hard-earned tax money going to things they don't like: welcome to the f***ing club. Reimburse me for the Iraq war and oil subsidies, and diaphragms are on me!"

On religion: "Religion: it's given people hope in a world torn apart by religion."

On terrorism: "The reason I don't worry about society is [because] 19 people knocked down two buildings and killed thousands, and hundreds of people ran into those buildings to save them. I'll take those odds every f***ing day."

On piracy: "If there's anyone out there involved in illegal movie piracy... don't do it. Take a good look at these people. These are the people you're stealing from. Look at them! Face what you've done! There are women here who can barely afford enough gown to cover their breasts."

On Glenn Beck: "A guy who says what people who aren't thinking are thinking."