81 Quotes by Laurence Olivier

Without acting, I cannot breathe.

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.

Shakespeare - The nearest thing in incarnation to the eye of God.

If I wasn't an actor, I think I'd have gone mad. You have to have extra voltage, some extra temperament to reach certain heights.

Of all the things I've done in life, directing a motion picture is the most beautiful. It's the most exciting and the nearest than an interpretive craftsman, such as an actor can possibly get to being a creator.

We used to have actresses trying to become stars; now we have stars trying to become actresses.

No matter how well you perform, there's always somebody of intelligent opinion who thinks it's lousy.

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

Use your weaknesses; aspire to the strength.