Acting is illusion, as much illusion as magic is - and not so much a matter of being real. Laurence Olivier More Quotes by Laurence Olivier More Quotes From Laurence Olivier Don't waste your time striving for perfection; instead, strive for excellence - doing your best. Laurence Olivier waste excellence perfection The humility to prepare and the self-confidence to bring it off. Laurence Olivier self-confidence humility sports Have a very good reason for everything you do. Laurence Olivier business success integrity The art of persuasion. The actor persuades himself, first, and through himself, the audience. Laurence Olivier actors art firsts 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. Laurence Olivier excuse excellence perfection Surely we have always acted; it is an instinct inherent in all of us. Some of us are better at it than others, but we all do it. Laurence Olivier natural-instinct instinct intuition Acting is an everlasting search for truth. Laurence Olivier everlasting theatre acting Use your weaknesses; aspire to the strength. Laurence Olivier weakness theatre use No matter how well you perform, there's always somebody of intelligent opinion who thinks it's lousy. Laurence Olivier innovation intelligent thinking Shakespeare - The nearest thing in incarnation to the eye of God. Laurence Olivier incarnation eye In spite of a heavy disguise, a few days' growth on my face, dark glasses, a beret and one of William's jackets that fitted me not at all, as I emerged from a hotel in Lecce, a young fisherman pointed me out to his friends and said "Lavrenche Olivaire." It was not all that amazing; if you're not known in Italy, you're not known anywhere. Laurence Olivier humor dark funny In the great wealth, the great firmament of your nation's generosities this particular choice may perhaps be found by future generations as a trifle eccentric, but the mere fact of it . . . the prodigal, pure, human kindness of it . . . must be seen as a beautiful star in that firmament which shines upon me at this moment, dazzling me a little, but filling me with warmth of the extraordinary elation, the euphoria that happens to so many of us at the first breath of the majestic glow of a new tomorrow. Laurence Olivier stars kindness beautiful Don't be afraid to be outrageous; the critics will shoot you down anyway. Laurence Olivier outrageous critics Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult. Laurence Olivier acting humorous funny What is acting but lying and what is good lying but convincing lying? Laurence Olivier convincing acting lying 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. Laurence Olivier mad gone thinking 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. Laurence Olivier theatre heart knowledge Lead the audience by the nose to the thought. Laurence Olivier audience theatre noses Above all, you must remain open and fresh and alive to any new idea. Laurence Olivier new-ideas alive ideas 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. Laurence Olivier theatre cities believe
