113 Quotes by Maggie Smith

Today I think of myself as a ‘recovering pessimist.’ I know that optimism is not at odds with wisdom. It’s quite the opposite. I think of cynicism as cool but lazy, while hope is desperately uncool—it has sweaty palms and an earnest smile on its face. What I know to be true is that one hopeful person will accomplish more than a hundred cynics. Why? Because the hopeful person will try.

I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost - it's there and then it's gone.

Think about Pluto—how it continues to exist as itself, as always, oblivious to human categories. Remember that no one else gets to define you or determine your worth. Be a planet despite what they may call you. Keep moving.

It's true I don't tolerate fools but then they don't tolerate me, so I am spiky. Maybe that's why I'm quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies.

Listen, I must be 110 by now. Granny is going to kick the bucket at some point.

I said 'It can't go on' and he said 'No, it can't.' Honestly, I don't think I could have mattered less to him by then. But by then, nothing mattered to him.

People say it gets better but it doesn't. It just gets different, that's all.

I have many good friends, but I tend to keep to myself anyway. It's odd, doing things and having no one to share them with.

There is a kind of invisible thread between the actor and the audience, and when it's there it's stunning, and there is nothing to match that.