Ismail Kadare Quotes

They've lived here now for more than half of their lives, and they raised a family here and now have grandchildren here... It has become their home, but at the same time, for my parents, I don't think either of them will ever consciously think, 'I am an American.'

I was born in Peru, and we moved to Scotland when I was 15, but I've not lived here for a long time. But I would always say that I am Scottish, and Scotland is as close to a home as I have.

We used to have a view that to really be a good Australian, to love Australia, you almost had to cut your links with the country of origin. But I don’t think that was right and it never was right.

I didn't think I was an actor and fought it for a long time. Nobody paid for that but me.

It's my country but I don't want to know about France - I was born there but I feel English.

Being American and being an outsider at the same time, it's a perspective I often bring to a character.

I was born in India - but never really lived there.

I really do feel part of America to my very bones; at the same time, I know that I come from somewhere else.

I wanted to contribute my time, myself, my knowledge, my love, because Haiti is my everything.

It's strange; when I was younger and people would ask, 'Where are you from?', I'd say, 'West Africa', which was odd because I'm obviously not African, but it was my home.

I can't live for more than four years outside of Canada. I'm Canadian, so ultimately that is my reference point.

We are Americans when we go to war, and when we return, we are Mexicans.

America is a land in which a man forgets his native country.

My son will be an American, but I remain French.

I don't necessarily feel like I'm American. I wouldn't know what that feels like.

People all over the world know me as an Indian artist. I could have chosen any other country and wouldn't have had to go through problems claiming my citizenship. But it is India where my heart is and has always been.

Before I let myself question my loyalty to my people, I'm quitting music. I didn't do this to be by myself.

I definitely feel Russian. I feel Russian, but at the same time when I'm in the States I feel at home, too.

I'm interested in people who find themselves in places, either of their choosing or not, and who are forced to decide how best to live there. That feeling of both citizenship and exile, of always being an expatriate - with all the attendant problems and complications and delight.

I adored my birth father and constantly worried that I was being disloyal to him and his schoolteacher roots if I spent too much time performing and enjoying it.

I was born in America, but I consider myself a Filipino.

It's a complicated issue, but I define myself as an American, primarily.

Maybe I am not French, maybe I am from nowhere.

I've never felt British. I'm just not interested in national identity. I don't know why.

I have a huge ego and a huge inferiority complex at the same time.