Robertson Davies Quotes

It's good to be successful but it's great to be significant

The vast majority of those who are famous are not significant and the vast majority of those who are significant are not famous.

Over the years I have met a lot of important people, but no one as important as Elvis Presley.

I want to be known as 'The Big Shakespeare.' It was Shakespeare that said, 'Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, some have greatness thrust upon them.'

Peter Kaplan was a giant.

When you see all of these bands citing you as influences, it makes you feel relevant.

I'm honored that I'm in history, but I don't think it would mean anything if it doesn't change anything.

Some of the most famous books are the least worth reading. Their fame was due to their having done something that needed to be doing in their day. The work is done and the virtue of the book has expired.

Not only can you not plan the impact you're going to have, you often won't recognize it even while you're having it.

All of us have a place in history. Mine is clouds.

You're presuming too much by using the word legacy - presuming that someone is going to care.

I like to aim for significance over success because rarely can you be significant and also successful, but many people can be successful and not significant.

Either you make history or you will be history.

The test of greatness is the page of history.

Anybody can make history. Only a great man can write it.

Your legacy makes a difference.

I'm part of history.

What is important is the character that I play. Making an impact is far more important than the length of the role.

Eddie Marlin was a big deal for a long time to a lot of people.

Most of the people who are given these Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame things sell millions of records, so it's kind of like a trophy for them. But for the Ramones, it really was a symbolic gesture of, 'Yes, you guys are special and are important to rock n' roll.' So in that sense, the Roll Hall of Fame served its purpose.

Obviously the bigger you are, the more attention you get.

I wanted to go somewhere I could be an important player. Be the player the whole city looks up to.

History matters.

I just wanna be relevant.

I don't mind being in the public eye as long as I am doing something substantial.