Christopher Guest Quotes

Even where there is talent, culture, knowledge, if there is not earnestness, it does not go to the root of things.

No one wants to be pretentious about what they do or take it seriously, because that is just weird.

I have some bad feet. But really, my main fault would probably be my personality. A lot of times, I am not serious enough. I joke around too much sometimes.

I'm always amazed that people take what I say seriously. I don't even take what I am seriously.

I hate the way the English have of not being serious about being serious, I really hate it.

I don't just try to be funny.

If you can get humor and seriousness at the same time, you've created a special little thing, and that's what I'm looking for, because if you get pompous, you lose everything.

I don't take myself as seriously as some people think, and I'd hate anyone to think I was preaching. That's the last thing I want.

I simply take serious issues seriously, but I do not take myself seriously.

I work with talented people. I'm just their tool.

Earnestness makes British people gag.

Harrisburg, it's small, man, but it's like a big family. Everybody knows each other, kind of, because in some way or another, they're related. There's a lot of talent, a lot of support.

The only value of ideology is to stop things becoming showbiz.

I would hope that nothing that I write would ever seem earnest because I subscribe absolutely to Franz Nietzsche's claim when he says, "Ah, earnestness, the sure sign of a slow mind." Earnest people are always a bit on the thick side in my experience.

I think people can stand to take themselves just a little less seriously. I'm fighting the war against pretension.

Seriousness is no more a guarantee of truth, insight, authenticity or probity, than humour is a guarantee of superficiality and stupidity.

I'm not going to be remotely funny.

Seriousness is the refuge of the shallow. There are events and personal experiences that call forth seriousness but they are fewer than most of us think.

Where's the superficial? I was, and therefore am, dim, gloomy, a drag, unfashionable, unfanciable, and awkward. This doesn't seem like superficial to me. These aren't flesh wounds. These are life-threatening thrusts into the internal organs.

If I can be serious now, and I have the feeling I can.

It is a waste of time to see people who have only a social surface to show. I will make every effort to find out the real person, but if I can't, then I am upset and cross. Time wasted is poison.

I'm a minor, stupid talent compared to my brother [Joaquin].

There are so many empty headed people in the fashion business who take themselves way too seriously and I don't think I am at all like one of them. To me there are lots more important things in the world than just having the right shoes!

Be sincere and true to your word, serious and careful in your actions; and you will get along even among barbarians, But if you are not sincere and untrustworthy in your speech, frivolous and careless in your actions, how will you get along even among your own neighbors? When stand, see these principles in front of you; in your carriage see them on the yoke. Then you may be sure to get along.

Can you be serious for two words?" "Not without effort.