In the creation of comedy, it is paradoxical that tragedy stimulates the spirit of ridicule; because ridicule, I suppose is an attitude of defiance: we must laugh in the face of our helplessness against the forces of nature – or go insane.
Nothing is permanent in this wicked world, not even our troubles.
Time is the best author. It always writes the perfect ending.
Life salutes you when you make others happy.
I’d sooner be called a successful crook than a destitute monarch.
Remember, you can always stoop and pick up nothing.
I don’t need interesting camera angles, I am interesting.
Let us fight to free the world.
I don’t want to create a revolution – I just want to create a few more films.
I hope we shall abolish war and settle all differences at the conference table I hope we shall abolish all hydrogen and atom bombs before they abolish us first.
The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men, cries out for universal brotherhood, for the unity of us all.
Soldiers! In the name of democracy, let us all unite!
It isn’t the ups and downs that make life difficult; it’s the jerks.
We might as well die as to go on living like this.
Hair is vitally personal to children. They weep vigorously when it is cut for the first time; no matter how it grows, bushy, straight or curly, they feel they are being shorn of a part of their personality.
To those who can hear me, I say – do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress.
I thought I would dress in baggy pants, big shoes, a cane and a derby hat. everything a contradiction: the pants baggy, the coat tight, the hat small and the shoes large.
I like friends as I like music – when I am in the mood.
Life is laughter when seen in a long shot, but it is a tragedy when seen in a close-up.
I have found that great ideas come when you have a great desire to have them.
This is a ruthless world and one must be ruthless to cope with it.