Top 103 Quotes & Sayings by Miriam Margolyes - Page 2

Communication is something we all take for granted.

I've burnt my boats, and there they are - smouldering in public view.

I support children's charities; I just don't want them around me. It's not very admirable, but it's the truth.

I've been very lucky - I've worked consistently, and I haven't had to kiss a lot of people on stage.

I refused to be filmed getting off a bus twice. The director said, 'I'm an award-winning director. Please do it', and I said, 'I never thought I'd say this, but I'm an award-winning actress with a bad leg, and if your film depends on seeing me get in and out of a bus, we're in trouble.'

I want people to be open to the idea of sitting down and reading a Dickens book. They will also have a great time.

My looks have changed, but I was never beautiful, so I'm not any less beautiful now.

I'm not sure I approve of theatre as a university course. I think theatre's something you do. I mean, literature is a subject; theatre is practical.

I'd have thought my particular brand of quirkiness, combined with sharp intelligence and a fine voice, would have yielded more. But it hasn't. Yet!

I cannot accept violence.

My partner of 45 years is Australian, and a big part of her character is that marvellous quality of irony which Aussies possess. I relish their humour and sense of fairness.

I have to keep working because, although I have land, I'm not cash rich and don't have the wealth of high-profile actresses - don't say I'm an 'actor.' That's a bit too modern.

That's one reason India is an attractive proposition for retiring. Servants are much more reasonable than in England. It's not exploitation so long as you pay a proper salary.

I wish I had a million in the bank. I like round figures. I am a round figure.

One of the worst things about ageing is the waning of your physical powers. I live in a house with 64 stairs, and I cannot run up and down them any more; my knee has conked out.

I don't like class distinction, and there is far too much of that in England.

I don't care what I look like. I must be comfortable. Some of my friends have plastic surgery and Botox, but I'm not interested in it.

Anti-Semitism is a rotten thing. It's an ignorant, stupid, horrible thing. As is anti-Muslim feeling. They have to be together.

I should have got thin, but I eat too much. I hate the word 'moderation.'

I was terribly upset not to be in 'Dickensian,' so I pretend to look down on it. The part I should have played, Mrs. Gamp, is done brilliantly by Pauline Collins, but I entered this world for no other reason than to play that part.

I don't think people realise how important it is to have your blood pressure checked. Stroke is so sudden, so catastrophic.

Mummy was absolutely the rock in my life. It was not that I didn't love my father; he was such a quiet man, and she was not. She was the most vivid person I have ever known. She was accomplished and brave and fearless. She used to say to me, 'I want you to be able to talk to anyone about anything.'

What most infuriates me is the cell phones. If I see someone texting during the show, I walk off the stage.

It makes me very sad. Everyone's afraid of each other - Jews are afraid of Palestinians, Palestinians are afraid of Jews. Everywhere I see fear, not understanding. Reason went out of the window a long time ago.

Getting older is a hideous experience; I'm so glad I only have to do it once. But I've kept my mind, my career, my relationship, and I have enough money - I've been blessed.

Everything's harder for women: harder to start, to stay employed, to run a life with a family.

I am not the sort of person who divests myself of everything that came before I came to Australia. I want to take all the knowledge and experiences I gained when I was in England and put it at the service of Australia because I have to bring something to Australia - not just money but myself.

I very much regret that I haven't been taken more seriously. I would love to have been at the National or the RSC.

I studied English literature in university, and then I went straight into radio.

I think I should be described as 'bi' - not bisexual, because I'm not - I'm gay - but 'binational' because I retain British nationality, and I add to it being Australian, which is like having your cake and eating it.

It's so important that people know there was a time before the NHS. It makes them appreciate it more.

The American actor is much more used to being physically relaxed and using their bodies better, and English actors are a little bit unrelaxed, but they're better at vocal technique.

I believe Jews are compassionate people because of what we've suffered. We must not put that suffering onto others.

As long as I am working, I am grateful and happy.

I can't recall a bad review - maybe I'm due one. But the worst thing would be if somebody said I was inaudible. Reach your audience's ears - only then can you reach their hearts.

Where I think the American actor is slightly at a disadvantage is in vocal technique. I don't think that words are their friend in the same way that English actors are used to using words: understanding about consonance and how to shade a vowel to show emotional color.

I was waiting for a train at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. My knee was hurting, so I asked a young man for his seat. He replied, 'There's one over there'. I said, 'Please', and when he refused I poured my water over him.

It would be absurd to say I'm not British - you can hear it when I speak.

Being in Australia makes me happy. My partner is Australian, and my home is in Australia, and it's ridiculous not to be Australian - it's a logical step to take.

With television, attention spans have been shortened. It's something we have to fight against: the dumbing down of the audience. To be part of an audience is a privilege. To be with the people on stage, to let them reach you. If you're doing a million other things, they won't reach you.

I know that I will go to my grave as Professor Sprout, whatever else I’ve done.

I'm not really a practising Jew but I keep a kosher kitchen just to spite Hitler.

Life, if you're fat is a minefield--you have to pick your way, otherwise you blow up.