Quotes from Judi Dench

Frankly, I never had any intense desire to go to India. I know that sounds a bit strange, but it just never was someplace I had a burning desire to visit.

I've always loved painting, although I never show anyone what I've done. Mainly because I don't do it well. But it's like a form of visual diary for me. A way of fixing things in my mind.

It was good to learn so early. They're not going to be kind to you. You have to do it and get on, and then gulp down and get better.

It's incredibly moving to hear some of our greatest actors performing Shakespeare.

I've figured out what to do so far, but it's always the next thing you come to where the man with the bucket of ice cold water is waiting - whoosh! in your face. That's why you work with directors who know what to tell you to do.

I would hate people to think bossy is all I can do.

There are very few things that surprise me.

We get up in the morning. We do our best. Nothing else matters.

Never fall out of love with life

Most things don't work out as expected, but what happens instead often turns out to be the good stuff.

I think you've got to have your feet planted firmly on the ground, especially in this business, and you must not believe things that are said or written about you, because everything gets out of proportion one way or the other.

It is true that there are few plays of Shakespeare that I haven't done.

Since Michael died I think I've worked constantly. Friends and colleagues are very sustaining. They're the people who get you through it... It's no good to be on your own.

It is not good to cross the bridge before you get to it.

Anything that we can do to improve the lives of elderly people is welcome so far as I am concerned.

I wanted to be a set designer when I was young.

I love being part of a company, and telling a story.

Because, you know, I can't work a bicycle pump.

The Lord Chamberlin was censoring scripts when I first came into the theater.

People seem to have this idea that I've always been very ambitious. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Sometimes nudity is gratuitous. We just live in a society where everything goes.

I'd rather do a part because I want to, not because great things are expected of me.

I am so thrilled to be nominated for something I loved working on every single day.

The theater is the thing I love doing most.