I am certainly more interested in interviewing than being interviewed. Sometimes you find yourself attacked from the start. Michael Palin More Quotes by Michael Palin More Quotes From Michael Palin Listen -- strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. Michael Palin holy-grail government lying You don't ask people about the immigration policies of the U.K. or their country's agricultural policy. Instead, you talk to them about the meal they're eating or their family, and from that you get the sense of another human being, someone we can all relate to. Michael Palin immigration country people It's not a model if it's full-scale, Tomkinson, it's an icebreaker. Michael Palin size models ice [There] are people who make a complete and utter mockery of 'democracy' and 'equality' - they're the casualties of the primitive rules of competition which run our society, and the welfare state just keeps them alive. That's all. Michael Palin competition running people When I'm travelling, I always take my little notebook and scribble things down as I watch them; I'm very much geared to everything that's happening. Whereas, the diary I keep is just about a record of a day I've spent. When I'm filming, I'm looking quite intensely at everything I see and trying to get my own eye on what we're going through. Michael Palin notebook eye trying There is nothing better than playing a scene with John Cleese or Maggie Smith. It's electric. But I don't think I'm the sort of person who needs to have an outer ego in order to produce something. I realised that through the travel programmes. Michael Palin ego order thinking There is barely a country in the world where you will be completely safe. Michael Palin safe country world Please don't ask which I enjoy more - acting or hosting - because I love them equally. Michael Palin please enjoy acting People say the most stupid things on the spur of the moment that they then have to retract. Michael Palin spurs stupid people Ronnie Barker was a straightforward man who had this extraordinary ability to make the nation laugh Michael Palin ability laughing men The need to eat, sleep and dry out plays havoc with your sense of wonder. Michael Palin play sleep needs I am restless. I don't mind leaving this comfortable, static life. I could live a year on my own in a remote village. Michael Palin restless-mind leaving years It's not an easy option. The essence of travel is letting go of habit and prejudice and relishing the unfamiliar. Food you've never eaten before, a language you've never spoken before, religion that mystifies, customs that confuse, politics that perplex, all question everyday assumptions about how you live your life. Michael Palin live-your-life essence letting-go I mistrust total competence. I've always felt life is a series of small disasters we try to get through. Michael Palin disaster life-is trying When in doubt, resort to animation. Michael Palin animation resorts doubt My marriage has worked because I am not around much. Michael Palin If I am seen as successful, it's all the more reason not to change - not to lose track of friends, not to be driven everywhere, not to go and get away from the world. That, to me, is real success: enjoying what you do, but being the same person. Michael Palin track real successful Despite having seen a fair amount of the world, I still love travelling - I just have an insatiable curiosity and like looking out of a window. Michael Palin curiosity window world One of the difficult things of so much travelling is to say goodbye. Michael Palin saying-goodbye difficult goodbye I cut down trees, I skip and jump, I like to press wild flowers. I put on women's clothing and hang around in bars. Michael Palin cutting flower tree
