Christoph Waltz Quotes

People come into public life for different reasons. None of us are ego-challenged, I think, or we probably wouldn't be doing what we're doing, so if anyone tells you that they don't like the sound of the applause and the ego gratification, I don't think they're being straight with you.

But the thing is, I was never looking at a strategic way of gaining fame. That's not why I'm doing this.

Some people are willing to betray years of friendship just to get a little bit of the spotlight.

I like people wanting to know about me.

There is undoubtedly a lot of pressure that comes with recognition, which can be a good thing and bad thing all at the same time. But if you stay focused and don't lose sight of what you're doing and who you are, you can rise above it.

I do not suppose I shall be remembered for anything. But I don't think about my work in those terms. It is just as vulgar to work for the sake of posterity as to work for the sake of money.

I trust that the time may never come when the love of fame shall cease to be the sovereign passion of public men.

I've been competing my whole life. Who cares about the spotlight?

Power, greed, and perhaps more than anything, ego, are powerful emotions and motivators.

From my position, obviously I want to maximise my potential and go as far as I can go and as high as I can go, but I'm not chasing fame. I get enough of that.

If each of us were to confess his most secret desire, the one that inspires all his plans, all his actions, he would say: "I want to be praised."

The love of fame is a love that even the wisest of men are reluctant to forgo.

We publish only to satisfy out craving for fame; there's no other motive except the even baser one of making money.

Even for learned men, love of fame is the last thing to be given up.

When I was growing up, I said to my ex-girlfriend, 'I will not be successful until everyone in Holland knows my name.' And it worked.

Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.

I'm greedy and ambitious like everybody else.

I think for any actor to say they don't like attention is ridiculous. Of course we love attention. But getting attention is different than pretending the attention means something.

I act and perform in hopes of getting attention and admiration.

I don't sense that I am someone's hero, though I'm happy when people like my work. I've learned how to be gracious about it, but I try to let it go by. I've seen how, if people start taking on those accolades, it can ruin them completely.

I was so driven that sometimes you don't recognise all the good things that are happening to you.

Awards are meaningless to me, and I have nothing but disdain for anyone who actively campaigns to get one.

What bothers me, I guess, is when I get these messages from girls on Twitter, and they're like, 'God, you're my idol, I really admire you.' It's like, 'Admire me for what? What have I done?' It's not that being in a Burberry campaign, or walking in a Chanel show is nothing. It's just... I know I can do more.

I do not care for the money, just for the glory.

I think the world needs to see more of my face.