Julian Fellowes Quotes

Powerful Julian Fellowes for Daily Growth

About Julian Fellowes

Julian Alexander Fellowes, born on November 19, 1961, in Cairo, Egypt, is an acclaimed British writer, actor, and producer known primarily for his work in television dramas. Raised in Scotland and educated at Ampleforth College and Oxford University, Fellowes developed a keen interest in literature and drama early in life. Fellowes' career began in the theater, writing and acting in several productions. However, he gained widespread recognition with his work on television. In 2001, he created the critically acclaimed series "Monarch of the Glen," which showcased his ability to blend humor, romance, and social commentary effectively. His magnum opus, however, is undoubtedly the award-winning TV series "Downton Abbey" (2010–2015). Set in an Edwardian English country estate, this period drama revolves around the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants. The show's success led to a feature film adaptation in 2019 and a sequel in 2022. Fellowes' work is heavily influenced by his background and upbringing. He often explores themes of class, tradition, and change, reflecting the social shifts in Britain during the early 20th century. His writing style is characterized by intricate plotlines, well-developed characters, and a keen eye for detail. In addition to his television work, Fellowes has written several novels, including the bestsellers "Snobs" (2005) and "Belgravia" (2016). He was also knighted in 2011 for services to literature and drama. Julian Fellowes continues to captivate audiences with his compelling stories set against the backdrop of British history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Wealth is the ability to fully experience life."

Julian Fellowes' quote emphasizes that wealth isn't solely about material possessions or financial status; instead, it signifies the freedom and opportunity to savor life in its entirety. This could mean experiencing a variety of cultures, pursuing passions, having access to education and resources, or simply living without undue worry about basic needs. Essentially, wealth enables one to live life fully - not just exist, but truly experience it.


"A little kindness often makes a bigger impression than great wealth."

This quote by Julian Fellowes underscores the idea that acts of kindness can have a profound, lasting impact on people, potentially outweighing the temporary impressions created by material wealth. It suggests that while possessions and riches might initially grab attention, genuine kindness and empathy resonate more deeply in human connections, fostering positive memories and emotions. The implication is that fostering a kinder world may be more beneficial and enduring than pursuing wealth alone.


"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

This quote emphasizes the joy and satisfaction one experiences when overcoming obstacles, particularly those imposed by others' doubts or limitations. It underscores the power of perseverance, determination, and self-belief in achieving goals that seem impossible to others. By pushing beyond such boundaries, individuals can discover their true potential, experience personal growth, and create a lasting impact on the world.


"Love and money are both very hard to come by, but usually in that order."

This quote by Julian Fellowes suggests a common struggle between love and financial stability. He implies that while both love and money are valuable and often elusive, they are typically pursued in a particular sequence – love first, then money. The order may vary depending on individual circumstances, but the idea is that people often find it more challenging to obtain love compared to acquiring wealth, though both are considered essential for a fulfilling life.


"Life is too short to spend it trying to impress people who will never be impressed."

This quote emphasizes the futility of dedicating precious life energy to seeking approval from individuals who do not value or recognize our worth. Instead, it encourages focusing on personal growth, relationships with those who appreciate us, and pursuing passions that bring fulfillment, rather than wasting time trying to gain recognition from unappreciative people. Essentially, it advises us to live authentically and not waste our lives trying to win the favor of those who do not value us.


When people are feeling insecure about their jobs and there are cuts to be made, it's hard to put up an argument that the film industry needs funding.

- Julian Fellowes

Argument, Needs, Funding, Cuts

Well, you've got to be known for something. The danger of extreme versatility is that you don't spring to mind for anything.

- Julian Fellowes

Mind, Spring, Known, Versatility

My parents came from different backgrounds. My father's was grander than my mother's, so my mother had... to put up with the disapproval of my father's relations.

- Julian Fellowes

Father, Had, Disapproval

My own belief is that most people are trying to do their best. It doesn't mean they have no nasty side, or that they don't have a bad temper, or that they have never done anything they feel ashamed of. But fiction operates on people waking up trying to be horrible, and I don't think most people are trying to be horrible.

- Julian Fellowes

Own, Bad, Fiction, Nasty

Most of the soap operas always use the Christmas special to kill huge quantities of their characters. So they have trams coming off their rails, or cars slamming into each other or burning buildings. It's a general clean-out.

- Julian Fellowes

Other, Use, Operas, Soap Operas

I mean the truth is, I've always been interested in the whole setup of the Old World.

- Julian Fellowes

Old, Always, Been, Old World

My mother converted to Catholicism to marry my father.

- Julian Fellowes

Mother, Father, Marry, Converted

I love 'Sex and the City;' I think I've seen every episode.

- Julian Fellowes

Love, Think, I Love, Sex And The City

There are some men who are frightened by strong women and some men who are nurtured by them and feel nervous, with weak clinging vines. And I am very much of the latter category.

- Julian Fellowes

Strong, Some, Very, Category

The great houses of Britain have, for centuries, been the guardians of much of our history, not just of the families who built and lived in them, but of the people who worked there, of the local area, of all of us.

- Julian Fellowes

Been, Area, Centuries, Guardians

Sometimes the weekend gets hijacked by work, but as my mother would say, this is the right problem.

- Julian Fellowes

Mother, Problem, Would, Hijacked

You do get fond of your characters. Handing them on is like giving a child to a nanny.

- Julian Fellowes

Like, Get, Characters, Handing

I like to take a long time over breakfast, and I can't bear to talk. If a guest is a breakfast talker it's very important to invite another so they can talk to each other. Otherwise they spoil the newspaper reading and everything else.

- Julian Fellowes

Newspaper, Other, Very, Everything Else

I think America has dealt with - I mean, this is simplistic, and of course I don't live in America - but the impression I get is that there is not a kind of obligation to dislike those who are better off or be frightened of those who are worse off.

- Julian Fellowes

Think, I Think, Simplistic, Frightened

I don't seem to have ever had a plan, but I have always been quite good at walking through doors when they are opened. I am never any good at anticipating what will happen next, but I always go for it when it does.

- Julian Fellowes

Through, Next, Been, Anticipating

I like people who don't accept boundaries. Like Florence Nightingale. And Napoleon or Louis XIV, though I'm not sure how much I'd have liked to meet them. I admire people who aren't circumscribed by circumstance.

- Julian Fellowes

Admire, Florence, Liked, Louis

I come from a class which used to be called the gentry - which is nowadays mistakenly used to include the nobility, but in fact is not. The gentry was essentially the untitled landowning class.

- Julian Fellowes

Include, Nobility, Which, Mistakenly

I think the reason why people love 'Downton Abbey' is because all the characters are given the same weight. Some are nice, some are not, but it has nothing to do with class or oppressors versus the oppressed.

- Julian Fellowes

Love, Think, Reason, Versus

Although 'L.A. Confidential' is a long movie, there's never a moment when you think, 'I'm loving this... but when's dinner?' Each time I see it, I discover something I hadn't noticed before. It has a tremendous skill in developing all the subplots.

- Julian Fellowes

Movie, Before, Each Time, Confidential

I always like to arrive at the airport early to enjoy breakfast and lounge about so that when I get on the plane all my travel fever has disappeared.

- Julian Fellowes

Always, Lounge, Plane, Disappeared

For most directors, the scriptwriter is about as welcome on set as a member of the Taliban.

- Julian Fellowes

Most, Set, Directors, Taliban

The moment I was introduced to my wife, Emma, at a party I thought, here she is - and 20 minutes later I told her she ought to marry me. She thought I was as mad as a rat. She wouldn't even give me her telephone number - and she wrote in her diary: 'A funny little man asked me to marry him.'

- Julian Fellowes

Thought, Here, Marry, Telephone Number

Success means your thoughts are worthy of everyone's consideration.

- Julian Fellowes

Thoughts, Everyone, Means, Consideration

I envy people who can think, 'No, I'm not going to work today' when they have a huge pile of deadlines stacking up.

- Julian Fellowes

Envy, Think, Going, Deadlines

Ninety-eight per cent of actors who actually make a living do so in front of a camera.

- Julian Fellowes

Living, Actually, Cent, Camera

In the end, drama is successful if you care about the people.

- Julian Fellowes

End, Drama, About, In The End

One of the things that you're not really in control of - apart from everything - is your smell.

- Julian Fellowes

Things, One Of The Things, Apart

Plenty of friendships are sustainable through dinners and lunches, but will not stand a week away. So be careful with whom you go on holiday.

- Julian Fellowes

Week, Through, Be Careful, Dinners

People tend to view history as if it were another planet and think the modern world was invented in 1963. I don't agree.

- Julian Fellowes

Think, Planet, Another, Invented

I don't think I'm an unkind person, I don't think my books are unkind, and I don't think my readers are unkind.

- Julian Fellowes

Think, Books, Readers, Unkind

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