"There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it." Marcus Tullius Cicero
"High birth is an accident, not a virtue." Pietro Metastasio
"The world has never yet seen a truly great and virtuous nation because in the degradation of woman the very fountains of life are poisoned at their source." Lucretia Coffin Mott
"If I were a grave-digger, or even a hangman, there are some people I could work for with a great deal of enjoyment."
"Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking."
"Playing Shakespeare is very tiring. You never get to sit down unless you're a king." Josephine Hull
"Although one may fail to find happiness in theatrical life, one never wishes to give it up after having once tasted its fruits." Anna Pavlova
"I am told that I talk in shorthand and then smudge it."
"Al, why don't you get a haircut?" Marion Cecelia Douras
"I was what they called a feature player, never a star. They say I was in 500 films, everything but the newsreels." Eliza Susan Pitts
"The quality of debate [in the House of Lords] is pretty high—and it is, I think, good evidence of life after death."
"The difference between a violin and a viola is that a viola burns longer." Victor Borge
"Certain phrases stick in the throat, even if they offer nothing that is analytically improbable. 'A dashing Swiss officer' is one such. Another is 'the beautiful Law Courts.'"
"The receivers are an integral part of the passing game."
"[Burt Lancaster] couldn't pick up an ashtray before discussing his motivation for an hour or so." Jeanne Moreau
"That's all very well, but two blacks don't make a white."
"One thing the blues ain't, is funny." Stephen Stills
"Women who buy perfume and flowers for themselves because their men won't do it are called 'self basting.'" Adair Lara
"I mean, it's a great story. It's got some great things in it. I mean there's something like eight violent deaths." Mel Gibson