Choosing how you vote should not be a snap verdict based on a few minutes of television. Simon Cowell More Quotes by Simon Cowell More Quotes From Simon Cowell When I was young and we got caught pinching apples, we got a smack from the local policeman. Today if that happened he would be sued. There is a tendency to punish the victim, not the criminal. If someone broke into my house or my mum's house, I worry that the burglar has more rights than me. Simon Cowell apples rights worry My dad said to me, 'Work hard and be patient.' It was the best advice he ever gave me. You have to put the hours in. Simon Cowell dad hard-work advice In TV, film, and music there's a lot of snobbery, and I don't like it. I've never been a cultural snob. Simon Cowell snob film tvs At 20, you're cocky and you think you can rule the world, and you get it all wrong. Simon Cowell cocky world thinking Every time I sat in a chemistry lesson I thought, what am I doing this for? I don't ever want to be in a job that involves a Bunsen burner.' Simon Cowell lessons want jobs You are a saucy little thing aren't you? Simon Cowell little-things littles I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there. Simon Cowell audience shows thinking The end of the animal trade would leave more time to trap or beat to death pop star wannabes. Simon Cowell totems stars animal If we had to choose one American Idol to go out to dinner with, it would be Fantasia. There are no airs and graces about her. ... I like her. Simon Cowell grace idols air I've always been petrified of working for a boss who I didn't like but who I was in fear of, because I wanted my salary. Simon Cowell salary boss wanted People confuse ego, lust, insecurity with true love. Simon Cowell insecurity ego people I have always hated celebrities lecturing people on politics. So forgive me. But I am passionate about this country. I am equally passionate about the potential of the people who live here. Simon Cowell forgive-me country people I look at him [son Eric] and I think of my dad all the time.... I was born to be a dad. Simon Cowell dad son thinking Every single negative can lead to a positive. Any negative situation... don't get too down about it - you'll work it out. You learn it as you go along. You don't get smart at 17. You just don't unless you're one of a billion. it will happen over time and it's the getting there which will be the most fun. Simon Cowell smart fun negative Praise a stranger with a few nice words and he becomes a stranger that calls you a friend. Simon Cowell flattery nice stranger Harshness to me is giving somebody false hopes and not following through. That's harsh. Telling some guy or some girl who've got zero talent that they have zero talent actually is a kindness. Simon Cowell zero girl kindness It simply works. You do it twice a year. Who cares? And it balances my smoking and drinking. Simon Cowell drinking smoking years As an actor, I really like Philip Seymour Hoffman. I think he's a genius. Simon Cowell genius actors thinking Women say hello and then put their hands down my trousers. I thought it was my hand they were supposed to shake. Simon Cowell hello shakes hands It was like orderin a hamburger and getting only the buns Simon Cowell buns hamburgers criticism