What did my parents say when I told them I wanted to be an actor? 'Be a plumber.' Samuel West More Quotes by Samuel West More Quotes From Samuel West It is our duty to endeavor always to promote the general good; to do to all as we would be willing to be done by were we in their circumstances; to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. These are some of the laws of nature which every man in the world is bound to observe, and which whoever violates exposes himself to the resentment of mankind, the lashes of his own conscience, and the judgment of Heaven. This plainly shows that the highest state of liberty subjects us to the law of nature and the government of God. Samuel West lawmenheaven [P]erfect freedom consists in obeying the dictates of right reason, and submitting to natural law. When a man goes beyond or contrary to the law of nature and reason, he . . . introduces confusion and disorder into society . . . [thus] where licentiousness begins, liberty ends. Samuel West confusionlawmen My one remaining professional ambition is to read the shipping forecast. I live in hope. Samuel West shippingforecastsambition Most good art is left wing. It's a moot point whether there is any good right-wing art. Samuel West right-wingwingsart I absolutely love working with my dad because there is such an ease about it, and I also love his company. Samuel West my-daddadease I am a coward, basically, but one of the things about acting is that you are always putting yourself through yet another test. Samuel West cowardtestsacting I usually play toffs and soldiers, with a sideline in mass murderers. Samuel West masssoldierplay I'm rather proud of having been a trainspotter. Samuel West proud The idea that if you are very clever you shouldn't be an actor would be laughable in Russia. Samuel West russiacleverideas When people say, 'If I had my life over again I wouldn't do anything different,' well, I'd do everything differently just for the variety. Samuel West wellsdifferentpeople I'm not very good at relaxing. Reading's the main thing. On the bus, on the tube, on the loo. Literally all the time. I mean, I don't think there's a moment of the day when I wouldn't be if I was left alone. Samuel West readingmeanthinking Shakespeare I love, but for an English graduate, I'm incredibly badly read. Samuel West graduates Of course 'Hamlet' is a debate about the nature and morality of revenge and whether it is right to do something to assuage your angry feelings. Samuel West moralityrevengefeelings When you are in a bad production there are two things you can do. You can do your best or you can leave. I chose to do the third thing which was sulk. Samuel West thirdscan-dotwo Im lucky enough to work with, I think, the greatest writer theres ever been, Shakespeare. Whose collected works would always be under my pillow if I was only ever allowed one book to keep, and who never bores me. Samuel West luckybookthinking We'll be back. I promise you that. Samuel West i-promisepromise At heart, this job is about continuing to make great theatre for the people of Sheffield - a city I've known and loved since childhood. Samuel West citiesheartjobs I did start reading quite young but I was always read to by my parents, who are both actors. Bedtime stories from when I was about two/three to when I was about 15. In fact they didn't stop until I eventually kind of kicked them out of my bedroom. Samuel West parentreadingtwo It would've been hard to do something else, to as it were, run away from the circus and become an accountant. Samuel West accountantscircusrunning Most actors are socialists, aren't they? Samuel West actors
