Anthony Hopkins Quotes

“A conductor can't be too arrogant with an orchestra and try to impose himself too much.”

“Acting is just a process of relaxation, actually. Knowing the text so well and trusting that the instinct and the subconscious mind, whatever you want to call it, is going to take over.”

“Actors I admire? Ed Harris, or course, I think he's terrific; because I know he always had to fight being what he looked like a lot, but I think he's a terrific actor.”

“Beware the tyranny of the weak. They just suck you dry.”

“Every time I try to retire, or even think of retiring from acting, my agent comes up with a script.”

“Evolution forged the entirety of sentient life on this planet using only one tool, the mistake.”

“For me, time is the greatest mystery of all. The fact is that we're dreaming all the time. That's what really gets me. We have a fathomless lake of unconsciousness just beneath our skulls.”

“For women, there are only two options. Either they are angels. Or they're still alive.”

“I always had a knack for improvisation. I can write down the notes I play, but never really had a proper academic musical background. I suppose I'm blessed and cursed by the fact I have that freedom.”

“I am a bit of a solitude person – a solitary personality. I like being on my own. I don't have any major friendships or relationships with people.”

“I am able to play monsters well. I understand monsters. I understand madmen.”

“I am not very good with relationships. With anyone. I can't be locked up with anyone for too long.”

“I came here in 1974 to do a play, and then I went to L.A. I really like living in America. I feel more at home here than anywhere else.”

“I can't stand directors who try to micro-manage everything. When it happens these days I just walk off set, saying if they don't like the way I'm doing it they can get someone else.”

“I couldn't say I ever dreamt of becoming a composer, a pianist, or anything else for that matter. I have the kind of brain where nothing is set in stone.”

“I do admire Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen, but I'm a philistine. I like the good life too much; I'm not good at going on stage night after night and on wet Wednesday afternoons.”

“I don't believe in nepotism. I don't much like the idea of parents who interfere.”

“I don't have many friends; I'm very much a loner. As a child I was very isolated, and I've never been really close to anyone.”

“I don't have people following me around, like bodyguards. I don't know how people live like that. Maybe the young movie stars have to live like that, I don't know. But it seems a little crazy to me. I don't think you need all that stuff.”

“I don't know what acting is, but I enjoy it.”

“I don't know why they gave me a knighthood – though it's very nice of them – but I only ever use the title in the U.S. The Americans insist on it and get offended if I don't.”

“I don't like freeloaders; I don't like people who are negative.”

“I have a punishing workout regimen. Every day I do 3 minutes on a treadmill, then I lie down, drink a glass of vodka and smoke a cigarette.”

“I have dual citizenship, it just so happens I live in America.”

“I have dual citizenship; it just so happens I live in America. I would like to go back to Wales. I'm obsessed with my childhood, and at least three times a week dream I am back there.”

“I have no interest in Shakespeare and all that British nonsense... I just wanted to get famous and all the rest is hogwash.”

“I hope I would not be so arrogant as to doubt anyone's religion or belief.”

“I just wanted to be a composer; I became an actor by default, really. I got a scholarship to a college of music and drama, hoping to take a scholarship in music. But I ended up as an acting student, so I've stuck with that for the last 50-odd years.”

“I know that the arts are important. I'm not denying that, but I can't associate myself with all the claptrap that goes on around it.”

“I love a scary movie. It makes your toes curl and it's not you going through it.”