Quotes from Laurence Olivier

[May 1958, on playing Macbeth at age 30 and age 48] When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.

Nine books have been written about me, and there's not a word of truth in any of them.

When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.

Have a very good reason for everything you do.

I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor-to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.

Acting is illusion, as much illusion as magic is, and not so much a matter of being real.

the only acting advice he would give] What is acting but lying and what is good lying but convincing lying?

in 1979] You must have - besides intuition and sensitivity - a cutting edge that allows you to reach what you need. Also, you have to know life - bastards included - and it takes a bit of one to know one, don't you think?

I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor - to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.

The office of drama is to exercise, possibly to exhaust, human emotions. The purpose of comedy is to tickle those emotions into an expression of light relief; of tragedy, to wound them and bring the relief of tears. Disgust and terror are the other points of the compass.

Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult.

I woke raging with desire for you…

nous devons faire semblant de parler la même langue d'être emplis des mêmes mots

The actor should be able to create the universe in the palm of his hand.

I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor-to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.

If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.

It took me two years to walk around a chair with ease; it took me another two years to learn how to laugh onstage - and I had to learn everything.

Work is life for me, it is the only point of life - and with it there is almost religious belief that service is everything.

The art of persuasion. The actor persuades himself, first, and through himself, the audience.

If you're an artist, you've got to prove it.

I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.

I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.

Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.

Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is. You'll be afraid you can't achieve it. It's your excuse to yourself for not doing anything. Instead, strive for excellence, doing your best.