William Makepeace Thackeray Quotes

Well, you sort of get out of the pool room, you get out of the Marine Corps, you get out and read some literature, you become involved with people who also want to know and are ready to share some ideas about literature and thoughts, and it becomes nourished that way.

I don't even think places like the National Youth Theatre (NYT) are necessarily about wanting to be an actor when you grow up. They're about meeting people from different backgrounds and different religions and different cultures, and mixing with people that you wouldn't ordinarily meet.

Prior to getting into music, I interacted with, on a daily basis, about 5-10 percent of the people that I've interacted with since then. I've been meeting people from different backgrounds and different cultures. That did allow for a lot of change. I've changed as a product of that, but it's been positive.

I read for growth, firmly believing that what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read.

I find that, for me, personally - and this is in everyday life - if I'm not growing, if I can't be stimulated in a conversation, then I am bored. And I'm not good when I'm bored.

I want to be able to have a conversation with people. I don't want to be stupid. I'd like to have a life outside acting.

How rich our German life is compared to France or England: what an abundance of social types and customs with completely different origins... Germany is a world, whereas England and France, with their stereotypically divided three social classes, are but enlarged villages... what a stage for a Balzac.

It feels important to go school; not necessarily to further my education, but more like a hobby.

Going to another country you're not in your house, you're with people you've never met before, and I think it's definitely a good growing experience.

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.

We travel to learn; and I have never been in any country where they did not do something better than we do it, think some thoughts better than we think, catch some inspiration from heights above our own.

I was on the football team because I wanted to experience the different iconic social classes of high school. So football for me was an attempt to socially integrate in an interesting way. And then I didn't like it anymore and stopped doing it and focused more on drama and science and other forms of art and music.

The mind is lowered through association with inferiors. With equals it attains equality; and with superiors, superiority.

I think people who don't go away to university are missing out on one of the great life experiences. You meet people from so many different places and it's the shared life experience that helps you grow.

That's what university life is all about. Challenging, questioning, enjoying good people and good friends, and pushing yourself to the limit.

You stay teachable most by reading books. By reading what other people went through.

Of course, social networking is essential. The feedback helps me grow. And it's a real stress buster.

To be able to rub shoulders with kids who have spent their entire lives studying the classics... that's something I need to improve my overview.

Probably the most important piece of advice that I've ever gotten is to develop your mind. I left school very young and I always regretted it.

Here I am, back in Mecca. I am still traveling, trying to broaden my mind, for I've seen too much of the damage narrow-mindedness can make of things, and when I return home to America, I will devote what energies I have to repairing the damage.

Culture means the perfect and equal development of man on all sides.

In my youth I studied for ostentation; later, a little to gain wisdom; now, for recreation; never for gain.

There are essentially two things that will make you wise -- the books you read and the people you meet.

Read, Read, and then Read some more. Always Read. Find the voices that speak most to YOU. This is your pleasure and blessing, as well as responsibility!

Knowledge is, indeed, that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another.