Top 286 Provocative Quotes & Sayings

Let me assure you that my intent is not to offend or merely be provocative. I'm simply worried.

There is a need, especially right now in America, to be a bit provocative.

Weakness is provocative.

Why? Do you find this" - he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose - "distracting?

Nothing I do is salacious or provocative or shocking for the sake of that.

I don't like to be provocative for the sake of being provocative.

I have nothing but the highest regard for 'Salon' and its commitment to independent and provocative journalism.

I like to be provocative.

There was really nothing shocking in what Brigitte did, what was provocative was her natural sensuality.

Comedies always need to be provocative and catch your attention in a way that dramas don't have to.

Vampire? Such a provocative word, wrapped in too many clichés and girly novels.

We have always dovetailed our cognition to our tools, but when our tools start dovetailing back, where do I end and where does the tool begin? It is going to be a really Twilight Zonish situation. It is definitely interesting. Once Google is in a blood cell sized device in our brain, do we become part Google? There are certainly interesting things to think about and provocative questions, but I don't think those provocative questions are going to do anything to slow down the onset of these technologies arriving and becoming even more pervasive.

It has been very erotic and provocative for people to wonder about my feelings for women.

It is a fascinating and provocative thought that a body of water deserves to be considered as an organism in its own right.

I don't think I ever intend to provoke outrage, but I don't mind being provocative in content.

I enjoy provocative things that are questionable.

It's difficult to stay relevant for many years, but I've somehow managed to do so. I'm honest and provocative.

Some of the most provocative TV that I'm inspired by is in the U.K. You guys take it for granted, but in America, we can't do it.

I've seen shows on Showtime, and they're very provocative, if you will, but nothing to the point that's over-the-top or gratuitous.

I naturally want to be provocative.

I'm part of what I consider the entertainment industry. For my photos to be entertaining, they have to be provocative and new.

David Cronenberg is the most provocative, original, and consistently excellent North American director of his generation.

I once said to a boy, ‘You’re a really good kisser,’ and he said, ‘You’re only as good as the person you’re kissing.' I think it’s the same with the music. If someone [says], ‘Your music is really provocative,’ I’m only as provocative as the person that’s listening to it.

I don't intentionally go: 'Ooh, what is provocative,' and try to do that. I just do stuff, and people go: 'Ooh, that's provocative.'

Growing up, I've been shamed a lot. Being a curvy girl, being young and seeing the skinny girls wear short shorts because it's cause it's hot outside, but I want to put on shorts and it's provocative, or I want to put on a tank top and it's provocative.

Just finding ways to be not provocative for provocative's sake, but to show an idea that hasn't been shown before, I mean that's interesting to me.

In London, people don't make eye contact; it's almost too provocative.

I occasionally watch provocative videos.

I've consciously tried to be provocative and disturbing.

I think it is really important to be in some way provocative -- either intellectually or viscerally -- in the films one makes.

We're not trying to push the real provocative edge.

Unusual yet beautiful. Provocative while remaining elegant.

I thought I could get everyone's attention by coming up with something that's provocative.

Say 'provoking' again. Your mouth looks provocative when you do.

I like films that are edgy, provocative, non-formula and original.

People have this idea that if you're sexual and beautiful and provocative, then there's nothing else you could possibly offer.

There is nothing more provocative than minding your own business.

Why is there such passion for any sort of gossipy, provocative sensual stuff? It sells!

Barbara Ehrenreich is smart, provocative, funny, and sane in a world that needs more of all four.

'UnREAL' has always been provocative and bitingly honest, which makes the show what it is.

I hate the idea that you have to give up anything. I think you can be powerful and still be provocative, you can be smart and have a softness, you can have all of it.

It's more provocative to say 'might still have sex' because - it doesn't matter to me. There's not, like, one that hurts my feelings and one that doesn't.

When someone sets out to be controversial or provocative or shocking as an end in itself, I don't think that's a noble goal.

It is frequently said that speech that is intentionally provocative and therefore invites physical retaliation can be punished or suppressed. Yet, plainly no such general proposition can be sustained. Quite the contrary.... The provocative nature of the communication does not make it any the less expression. Indeed, the whole theory of free expression contemplates that expression will in many circumstances be provocative and arouse hostility. The audience, just as the speaker, has an obligation to maintain physical restraint.

It's not success that makes a person's life worthy of legend. It's provocative defeat, someone who struggled mightily and lost. And that loss can't just be gratuitous - there has to be something about his or her character that whittles that loss into something provocative.

Being a host or a guest or a pundit, you really want to say something that's interesting and potentially provocative, that's going to stick with people. The last thing you want to say when you're a politician is something provocative.

No sight is more provocative of awe than is the night sky.

Starz is a network that's going for the content that's extremely honest and pushing the envelope and is provocative.

Few realize that the world of modern mathematics is rich with vivid images and provocative ideas.

I do not want to answer provocative question.

There are times when being scandalous or provocative can help bring focus to issues of major concern.

I don't have any interest in filmmakers making statements just for the sake of being provocative.

The very nature of 'UnREAL' is that we are provocative, uncensored, and brutally tactless.

Sean's movies are provocative and challenging without being slick.

I don't want to be too 'classic' because it's not in the DNA of Gucci. You need to be a little bit provocative.

Personally, I try to be provocative but not needlessly provocative in my work.

I don't think of my movies as provocative.

Let us consider that swearing is a sin of all others peculiarly clamorous, and provocative of Divine judgment.

I think there probably was a time when I was less provocative. That's when I was married.

I think a newspaper should be provocative, stir 'em up, but you can't do that on television. It's just not on.