We all suffer from the preoccupation that there exists... in the loved one, perfection. Sidney Poitier More Quotes by Sidney Poitier More Quotes From Sidney Poitier I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father's life. Sidney Poitier father-son fathers-day dad Acting isn't a game of "pretend." It's an exercise in being real. Sidney Poitier real games exercise I always wanted to be someone better the next day than I was the day before. Sidney Poitier next-day next wanted I think the way I want to think. I live the way I want to live. Sidney Poitier want way thinking Racism is very painful. That's life. It never ends. Sidney Poitier painful racism race So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness. Sidney Poitier randomness pure determined Every new fashion is a form of rebellion. Sidney Poitier rebellion fashion form I defend myself by improving myself. Sidney Poitier improving As I entered this world, I would leave behind the nurturing of my family and my home, but in another sense I would take their protection with me. The lessons I had learned, the feelings of groundedness and belonging that have been woven into my character there, would be my companions on the journey. Sidney Poitier journey home character I wouldn't change a single thing, because one change alters every moment that follows it. Sidney Poitier moments I was a gift to my mother. She was a remarkable person. God or nature, or whatever those forces are, smiled on her, then passed me the best of her. Sidney Poitier force remarkable mother A good deed here, a good deed there, a good thought here, a good comment there, all added up to my career in one way or another. Sidney Poitier careers deeds way I was born two months early, and everyone had given up on me. But my mother insisted on my life. Sidney Poitier months mother two I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values. Sidney Poitier chosen use reflection If I'm remembered for having done a few good things and if my presence here has sparked some good energies, that's plenty. Sidney Poitier good-things energy done There is not racial or ethnic domination of hopelessness. It's everywhere. Sidney Poitier domination hopelessness hopeless My mother was the most amazing person. She taught me to be kind to other women. She believed in family. She was with my father from the first day they met. All that I am, she taught me. Sidney Poitier be-kind mother father I couldn't adjust to the racism in Florida. It was so blatant... I had never been so described as Florida described me. Sidney Poitier florida racism If the image one holds of one's self contains elements that don't square with reality, one is best advised to let go of them, however difficult that may be. Sidney Poitier squares letting-go reality But perhaps more important, as someone wishing to make a comment or two about contemporary life and values, I don't have to dig through libraries or travel to exotic lands to arrive at a view of our modern situation refracted through the lens of the preindustrial world, or the uncommercialized, unfranchised, perhaps unsanitized-and therefore supposedly more "authentic"-perspective ofthe Third World. Very simply, this is because that "other" world, as alien as if separated by centuries in time, is the one from which I came Sidney Poitier other-worlds land views