Simon Schama Quotes

I like things going on in my life. I don't want to be on a beach somewhere just relaxing.

I could go off into the wilderness and write fantasy novels for the rest of my life and probably be happy; but I always want to challenge myself.

There is no such thing as inner peace. There is only nervousness or death. Any attempt to prove otherwise constitutes unacceptable behavior.

I'm at peace with myself and where I am. In the past, I was always looking to see how everybody else was doing. I wasn't competitive, I was comparative. I just wanted to be where everybody else was. Now I've gotten to an age when I am not comparing anymore.

At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest.

Some people are ok with doing nothing all day after they retire, but then some people if they had nothing to do would go mad and start banging their heads against a wall.

We're going to live longer than our parents' generation, and there comes a point when you ask yourself, 'What am I going do?' You can only play so much golf.

I don't think I'd be happy if I were satisfied. I enjoy challenge, and I wouldn't say that I'm an ambitious person career-wise or financially, really. I would like to travel more comfortably, but that's really about all I need.

I believe that life is about doing.

I'm no good at sitting on a beach and doing nothing.

My natural state is a state of an explorer - a performer, but someone who wants to explore their experience and reflect on their experience more than just lie on the beach. Even when I go on vacations, I get stressed out if I'm at the beach for, like, two days. I'm like, 'Can't we do something? I can't just sit there.'

My goal is to be really incredible by the time I'm 70.

Retirement without literary amusements is death itself, and a living tomb.

Old age is not a matter for sorrow. It is matter for thanks if we have left our work done behind us.

Connecting with people, getting things done - that's what makes the travel worthwhile.

Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.

I mostly like to travel and volunteer because I get antsy if I stay in my comfort zone for too long.

The older I get, the more my curiosity grows, and every book I write is a new exploration.

I'm less worried about accomplishment - as younger people always can't help but be - and more concerned with spending my time well, spending time with my family, and reading, learning things.

I fear the boredom that comes with not learning and not taking chances.

Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.

I'm happiest when I'm moving.

People die when curiosity goes.

When you achieve a certain amount of success, you want to be doing something else.