Patrick deWitt Quotes

'Beyond Glory' is responsible for this wave that I've been fortunate enough to ride for the last few years. And that I did primarily because I didn't know what else to do. You might say I did it out of desperation.

I couldn't lie to get myself fame and fortune.

I took Second City out of desperation, and that's what ended up working out. It shows that you should be doing a lot of different stuff, taking whatever opportunities are there, to see what works.

I think if you look at people, whether in business or government, who haven't had any moral compass, who've just changed to say whatever they thought the popular thing was, in the end they're losers.

Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great.

I was just so lucky with 'Real Women Have Curves.' At that point, I would have done an insurance commercial. I would have done anything.

I beg my Children to be just and virtuous, never to disgrace my name or theirs, and then they are out of fortune's power.

The truth is, you don't ever decide on a role, not when you first begin. You audition for the role, and you're lucky to get it.

Luck was something you either earned or invented through strength of character. You had to come by it honestly; you could not trick or bluff your way into it.

The people who best use their advantages, or overcome adversity, and work honestly are those most worthy of admiration.

Character is far more important than intellect in making a man a good citizen or successful at his calling- meaning by character not only such qualities as honesty and truthfulness, but courage, perseverance and self-reliance.

Don't get discouraged: it is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

The fates have given mankind a patient soul.

The real test of our character is when the bottom falls out.

You don’t take pictures, the good ones happen to you.

Though a censure lies against those who are poor and proud, yet is Pride sooner to be forgiven in a poor person than in a rich one; since in the latter it is insult and arrogance; in the former, it may be a defense against temptations to dishonesty; and, if manifested on proper occasions, may indicate a natural bravery of mind, which the frowns of fortune cannot depress.

Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are.

[Andrea] Leadsom has compassion ... a real steel and a real determination and that velvet glove of compassion that she really cares about people.

Everything that's happened to me, nothing's been planned. I've never had a business plan. I just kind of fell into it, and I liked it, and I took a chance. I took a lot of chances in my life.

Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.

As much as I can give of myself I give of myself. There's no reason why not. And when I have to hide something, I let the character speak.

Great people aren't those who are happy at times of convienience and content, but of how they are in times of catastrophy and controversy.

Integrity is the value we set on ourselves.

I saw what luck and success I had as an opportunity to twist it up and do something different, so I've always sought out different genres and different kinds of characters.

"My comfort is," said Susan, looking back at Mr. Dombey, "that I have told a piece of truth this day which ought to have been told long before and can't be told too often or too plain..."