We live in a world of guns, bombs and terror. To conquer hate seems a nigh-impossible task. Theodore Bikel More Quotes by Theodore Bikel More Quotes From Theodore Bikel But, when I toil in the field of Jewish culture which I frequently do, I am indeed a Jewish artist. Theodore Bikel toilartistculture Audiences are audiences. Theodore Bikel audience As an artist I have an even more abiding interest in the compact between the Arts and Government. Theodore Bikel abidinggovernmentart After the advent of the written word, the masses who could not - or were not permitted to - read, were given sermons by the few who could. Theodore Bikel adventmassgiven You can't expect the entire world to come to New York to see you. You have to travel to them. Theodore Bikel new-yorkworldtravel Epistemology is the study of knowledge. By what conduit do we know what we know? Theodore Bikel epistemologystudyknows Although I am deeply grateful to a great many people, I forgo the temptation of naming them for fear that I might slight any by omission. Theodore Bikel omissiongratefulpeople Must we be put to shame by much smaller and poorer countries, by Ireland, France, Austria or Sweden, who have understood that a nation's support of its arts is a matter of both national pride and cultural survival? Theodore Bikel pridecountryart I always sang, I always acted, I always played. Theodore Bikel I am a Zionist, an ardent supporter of Israel, its defender when I deem Israel to be right and its critic when I deem it to be wrong. Theodore Bikel zionistcriticsisrael I am filled with awe that filmmakers have the capacity to stir us and give us back a sense of wonder. Theodore Bikel fearwondergiving If I have one vanity wish, it would be to direct. It's the only thing I haven't done yet that I would like to. Theodore Bikel vanitywould-bewish I'm exceedingly proud of being an actor, but I never recommend it to anyone. Theodore Bikel proudactors I remain convinced that I can be a true universalist only when I am a better Jew. Theodore Bikel convincedjewi-can In my world, history comes down to language and art. Theodore Bikel languageworldart What moves me is neither ethnocentric pride nor sectarian arrogance. I make no claim that Jewish culture is superior to other cultures. But it is mine. Theodore Bikel other-culturespridemoving We Jews have a special attachment to the Book. The study of page after page in tomes yellowing with age was obligatory. Theodore Bikel attachmentyellowbook Despite a large body of work in films, TV, theatre and concerts, I am viewed by many as a Jewish artist. I do not resent the label, except for the fact that I disapprove of labels in general. Theodore Bikel labelstheatreartist But there is a difference here: When Jewish children are murdered, Arabs celebrate the deed. The death of an Arab child is no cause for celebration in Israel. Theodore Bikel hymnsisraelchildren Right up to the middle of this century all perceptions of the world around us were delivered via the bookshelf or the paper route. Theodore Bikel perceptionpaperworld
