Bokeem Woodbine Quotes

I think I've realized that when you are aiming to create a real body of work, you are as much defined by the things you don't do as by the things you do.

I really care about this stuff, I care about movies, and you just have to be strong and don't be stupid; freedom of choice is a big responsibility, and I'm lucky enough not to have to just take any movie to pay the rent, so there's no need to be greedy.

I turned down as many roles that I thought were beyond my abilities as I did ones I thought weren't good enough.

I've done 21 films in eight years, and I've said 'No' more times than I've done films.

I could have signed 10 films after 'Jai Ho,' but those films would have done nothing for me. I wanted to wait for the right project.

I was told, 'Your career's made by what you don't do,' and that always stuck with me. I drive my agent mad!

Earlier in my career, there may have been compulsions for accepting films for money.

I was waiting for good films after 'Fugly' released. My second film was important. I kept waiting, and the period strengthened me. I would rather wait and do something worthwhile than take up bad films.

There are some aspects of work you need to keep working on and no matter what environment you are in. Continuous learning is very important. It's what I call 'competitive tension', which is about having a competition around.

You know, I spend most of my life turning things down. There's a lot of crap out there.

Purity engenders Wisdom, Passion avarice, and Ignorance folly, infatuation and darkness.

I do turn down things that I feel aren't right for me, like when it's some kind of adolescent thing that might typecast me, but I'm not worried about it.

For the past few years, I've been more selective than I have any right to be, but I think that's finally starting to work in my favor. I think I get way too much credit for making what people consider to be smart choices, but it's only because I made a decision to stop worrying about making money.

I made a conscious decision to live my life the best way I could and that meant to publicise myself as little as possible.

I'm trying to mix the cool, independent stuff with the big stuff, but it's been difficult finding the right roles. It's been an interesting ride as far as my career pendulum is concerned.

You have to make a conscious decision to change for your own well-being and that of your family and your country.

To know your limitations is the hallmark of a wise person.

In the governing of souls, we need a cup of science, a barrel of wisdom, and a sea of patience.

Brownson never will stop and listen, neither in conversation, but what is more, not in solitude.

I was averaging about one movie a year my whole career, and that was because I'm fussy. I probably could have done more.

I think it's just as important what you say no to as what you say yes to.

I don't want to do every independent film offered to me.

What we say no to is sometimes more important than what we say yes to.

I've always tried to have a pretty discerning eye with the roles that I've picked, which is maybe why it seems like I take breaks, but really, they're not breaks. It's just that there's not as much out there as one would hope. I'm lucky enough to be able to be choosy sometimes.

Part of progressing in acting is turning down work, and that's hard; it's very, very hard to do. And I think you have to do that so as not to undermine your own sense of value.