Ali Smith Quotes

What I do, basically, is look at things from different angles. That is what I do on stage comedically, and that is what I do in art. I was always fascinated by the structure of things, why things work this way and not that way. So I like to see how things behave if you change the point of view.

Philosophers have interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it

In my reporting, I've found that real change escapes many change-makers because powerful illusions guide their projects.

I remember when I was a kid in school and teachers would explain things to me about what I read, and I'd think, Where did they get that? I didn't read that in there. Later you look at it and think, That's kind of an interesting idea.

As women, we know that we must always find ways to change the process because the present institutions want to hold on to power and keep the status quo.

If you compromise in any kind of movement or any kind of wave of revolution, if you sort of play the game, things are gonna change far more slowly than you need them to.

I didn't run for mayor to be the caretaker of the status quo.

I'm not allowing my perspective to be dictated by the dominant culture.

The answers you get from literature depend on the questions you pose.

Usually, in any revolution people are focused on who wants to have the most power. But the most important thing is the laws that are written during that time.

Focusing on the right question is very different from having the right answers.

We must not just change presidents. We must change direction.

Question the status quo at all times, especially when things are going well.

Most governments and people want reform. It’s the prospect of change that makes reform rare.

Successful reform requires a long-term vision, driven by political leadership.

History will show you not all the answers, but it’ll tell you a lot of the questions to ask.

Writers have an opinion about the world and offer arguments about the world. They should offer contemplation.

This is what a crisis does: It makes you question the status quo. That doesn't mean that after a crisis we move into some kind of utopia. But it is an opportunity for political change.

Being a game changer to me means changing the way other people see things.

In every part of our society, rules have to be questioned and adapted.

It's the reason why I am always interested in engaging in people who are pushing us and pushing against the status quo. But having been an activist, the only thing that I'm always encouraging activists to do is, once you have raised the issue, and even through controversial means, you have to come behind it with an agenda and the possibility of reconciliation if power meets your demands.

For some time now, I have been encouraging people to ask themselves why things look the way they do.

Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things.

It's not enough to have the right answers. You have to have the right questions.

To see the world is to judge the judges.