As an artist I have an even more abiding interest in the compact between the Arts and Government. Theodore Bikel More Quotes by Theodore Bikel More Quotes From Theodore Bikel I prefer to make common cause with those whose weapons are guitars, banjos, fiddles and words. Theodore Bikel guitarcausesweapons I have always striven to raise the voice of hope for a world where hate gives way to respect and oppression to liberation. Theodore Bikel voicehategiving By showing hunger, deprivation, starvation and brutality, as well as endurance and nobility, documentaries inform, prod our memories, even stir us to action. Such films do battle for our very soul. Theodore Bikel battlesoulmemories All too often arrogance accompanies strength, and we must never assume that justice is on the side of the strong. The use of power must always be accompanied by moral choice. Theodore Bikel stronghumilityjustice No heirloom of humankind captures the past as do art and language. Theodore Bikel heirloomspastart I know for certain of only one commandment, one obligation, that God imposes upon us, and that is to be compassionate toward other human beings. Theodore Bikel obligationcertaincompassionate We live in a world of guns, bombs and terror. To conquer hate seems a nigh-impossible task. Theodore Bikel taskshategun One might have thought the world would stop ascribing moral equivalence between acts of terrorism and acts of punishing terrorism. It has not happened that way. Theodore Bikel mightwayworld You don't really need modernity in order to exist totally and fully. You need a mixture of modernity and tradition. Theodore Bikel mixturesorderneeds I am determined to give the Yiddish language a fighting chance to survive. Theodore Bikel determinedfightinggiving I am a universalist, passionately devoted to the cause of equality within the human family. Theodore Bikel equalitycauseshumans I tried for a while to be an agricultural worker and was hopelessly bored. To me it was meaningless. I would stand around in heaps of manure and sings about the beauty of the work I wasn't doing. Theodore Bikel hopelessworkersbored There is no role I cannot play except a midget. Theodore Bikel midgetrolesplay In my mind the city of Ariel is a thorn in Israel's side and a serious obstacle to peace. Theodore Bikel israelcitiesmind You learn more from the flops than from the hits. Theodore Bikel I do not know who there is among us that can claim to know God's purpose and God's intent. Theodore Bikel knowing-godpurposeclaims I prefer to choose which traditions to keep and which to let go. Theodore Bikel traditionletting-go Accents. I'm very good with accents. I'm exceedingly good. Theodore Bikel accentsvery-good I am not, and have never been, in favor of boycotting Israel. Theodore Bikel favorsisrael The play is always fresh to me. It's not the audience's fault that I've said the words before. Theodore Bikel faultsairplay
