Miriam Margolyes Quotes

Powerful Miriam Margolyes for Daily Growth

About Miriam Margolyes

Miriam Margolyes, born on May 18, 1941, in London, England, is an acclaimed British actress, voice artist, and author renowned for her versatile performances and distinctive voice. Her career spans over five decades in stage, television, film, and audio narration. Raised in a Jewish family in North London, Miriam's love for acting began at an early age, influenced by her grandmother who was an actress in Yiddish theatre. She studied drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and her professional career took off in the late 1960s with roles in various West End productions. Miriam's breakthrough came in 1982 when she starred as Rebecca West in the BBC series "Brideshead Revisited." This role led to international recognition, and she gained further fame for her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series. In addition to acting, Miriam is also a prolific author. Her works include "Miriam's Big Adventure: Travels with My Hamster," an account of her journey across America with her pet hamster, and "This Much is True: A Memoir," where she shares stories from her life and career. Throughout her career, Miriam has been open about her sexuality, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. She was honored with the Stonewall Award for Services to the Community in 2013. Her performances, wit, and candor continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I am a woman. I have a cunt and I menstruate every month. I am a woman. I can bear children, I can suckle babies. I can love and I can weep."

This quote by Miriam Margolyes emphasizes the essence of femininity, highlighting physical and emotional aspects. She underscores women's unique biological characteristics, such as menstruation and childbearing abilities, which are integral to their identities as women. Simultaneously, she acknowledges their emotional capacities, including love and weeping, which are equally important in defining the feminine experience. This quote emphasizes the holistic nature of womanhood, encompassing both biological functions and emotional experiences.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

This quote suggests that self-discovery isn't a passive process; instead, it's an active endeavor where individuals shape and mold themselves through experiences, choices, and personal growth. It implies that one should not wait for life to reveal their identity but rather take control, make decisions, learn from mistakes, and continually evolve into the person they want to be. Essentially, it encourages self-determination and proactive self-creation in life's journey.

"I've always said, 'You can't get to the top on your knees.'"

This quote by Miriam Margolyes emphasizes the importance of standing tall, taking action, and not relying on submissiveness in order to succeed or achieve one's goals. It suggests that people should strive for personal growth and success through hard work, determination, and confidence rather than resorting to manipulation or servility.

"There's a whole world out there that exists only in our imaginations, and it's just as real as the one we see every day."

This quote emphasizes the idea that while we inhabit a physical world we can perceive through our senses, there also lies an intangible realm of ideas, dreams, and creativity - the products of human imagination. In essence, it suggests that this imaginative world carries equal importance in shaping our understanding of reality, as it is just as 'real' in its impact on our thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

"I've had my ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade them for anything."

This quote suggests that despite experiencing challenges (the "ups and downs") in life, the speaker values their experiences and wouldn't choose to live a different life (wouldn't trade them for anything). It implies a strong sense of resilience, growth, and acceptance of life's ebbs and flows. The quote underscores the importance of personal development and the valuable lessons learned from both positive and negative experiences in shaping one's character.

I don't for a second regret my closeness to them because they were wonderful, golden parents who gave me so much confidence.

- Miriam Margolyes

Confidence, Regret, Them, Closeness

Nobody likes Jews. You can't say people like Jews. We're not popular. We're too smart to be liked. But it has been unacceptable to express anti-Semitism since the Holocaust.

- Miriam Margolyes

Jews, Like, Been, Unacceptable

I know that a lot of my life is spent thinking about crisps and eating crisps and hating myself for eating crisps. It's just not worth it. Or it wouldn't be if crisps weren't so delicious.

- Miriam Margolyes

Myself, My Life, Spent, Hating

As I get older, people do come up to me just to give me a hug.

- Miriam Margolyes

Me, Give, Get, Older People

I want a comfortable old age and to be looked after - I have arthritis - and money is a factor.

- Miriam Margolyes

Money, Comfortable, Looked, Arthritis

Sydney has taken my money, Melbourne has my respect, but Adelaide has taken my heart; I shall return.

- Miriam Margolyes

Money, Taken, Shall, Sydney

While researching my ancestry I have unearthed many skeletons. It would seem that I come from a long line of ne'er-do-wells, especially on my mother's side.

- Miriam Margolyes

Skeletons, Ancestry, Side, Long Line

People seem comfortable with me. And maybe that's got a lot to do with shows like Graham Norton. You just tell it like it is on those programs.

- Miriam Margolyes

Tell, Like, Maybe, Norton

I have a class prejudice - against the upper class, which is foolish.

- Miriam Margolyes

Against, Which, Upper, Foolish

I don't have a very positive attitude towards rappers.

- Miriam Margolyes

Positive Attitude, Very, Rappers

Getting older is a hideous experience; I'm so glad I only have to do it once. But I've kept my mind, my career, my relationship, and I have enough money - I've been blessed.

- Miriam Margolyes

Mind, Career, Been, Enough Money

Old people have a much better time in India because they're respected.

- Miriam Margolyes

Better, Old, Better Time, Old People

I don't care what I look like. I must be comfortable. Some of my friends have plastic surgery and Botox, but I'm not interested in it.

- Miriam Margolyes

Plastic Surgery, Some, Like, Botox

It's so important that people know there was a time before the NHS. It makes them appreciate it more.

- Miriam Margolyes

Appreciate, Important, More, NHS

I think life is sweeter shared; and if anything were to happen to my partner, I would find it really hard without her because she's the perfect person for my life.

- Miriam Margolyes

My Life, Think, Sweeter, Perfect Person

That's one reason India is an attractive proposition for retiring. Servants are much more reasonable than in England. It's not exploitation so long as you pay a proper salary.

- Miriam Margolyes

Reason, England, Attractive, Exploitation

I support children's charities; I just don't want them around me. It's not very admirable, but it's the truth.

- Miriam Margolyes

Want, Very, Charities, Admirable

My mother died of a stroke in 1974, and for a long time, I blamed myself. She was utterly devastated when I told her I was a lesbian not long before.

- Miriam Margolyes

Myself, Before, Died, Blamed

I may have a talent for acting, but I am incapable of doing anything else.

- Miriam Margolyes

I Am, Doing, May, Incapable

I was waiting for a train at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. My knee was hurting, so I asked a young man for his seat. He replied, 'There's one over there'. I said, 'Please', and when he refused I poured my water over him.

- Miriam Margolyes

Waiting, Young, Replied, Edinburgh

I used to get into bed with my mother every morning, almost until she died, and talk about everything. She was my closest confidante always. I had no secrets from her.

- Miriam Margolyes

Bed, Always, Almost, Closest

Although my parents both liked her, they just didn't approve of a same-sex relationship. Nowadays, people say that you must let children be what they are, but when I was growing up, the parents defined the child - and my parents had a definite vision of how they wanted me to be.

- Miriam Margolyes

Nowadays, Had, Liked, Same-Sex

I don't understand why gay people are so anxious to get married.

- Miriam Margolyes

Understand, Get, Anxious, Get Married

Adelaide's charms are compelling. It's not a huge place; the size is manageable, the traffic absurdly light.

- Miriam Margolyes

Light, Size, Compelling, Absurdly

I wouldn't consider retiring to India: there are too many people, and it's difficult walking along the pavements. I'd love to spend two or three months a year there.

- Miriam Margolyes

Love, Year, Months, Too Many People

I am stopped in the street by kids and Harry Potter fans all the time.

- Miriam Margolyes

I Am, Street, Stopped, Potter

I do say things possibly other people don't say. So I shouldn't be too surprised when they are picked up.

- Miriam Margolyes

People, Say, Other, Possibly

I've never been someone who is cast for having a lovely figure but for whatever qualities I could possibly bring to a role, so I'm still castable.

- Miriam Margolyes

Lovely, Been, Figure, Possibly

My partner of 45 years is Australian, and a big part of her character is that marvellous quality of irony which Aussies possess. I relish their humour and sense of fairness.

- Miriam Margolyes

Big, Fairness, Which, Marvellous

The curious thing is that I embraced homosexuality with as much joy and delight as I've embraced everything else in my life.

- Miriam Margolyes

Life, My Life, Homosexuality, Everything Else

I think all actors get scared because we're frightened to disappoint.

- Miriam Margolyes

Think, I Think, Disappoint, Frightened

I've burnt my boats, and there they are - smouldering in public view.

- Miriam Margolyes

View, Public, Burnt, Boats

It's shameful to admit, but it's been a bit of a lifelong affair, and I do now feel I'm as good as it gets. I'm honourable, kind, friendly, warm, intelligent, generous, and I've got a good sense of humour.

- Miriam Margolyes

Kind, Been, Lifelong, Affair

I want people to be open to the idea of sitting down and reading a Dickens book. They will also have a great time.

- Miriam Margolyes

Will, Great Time, Idea, Sitting

In terms of my development as an artist, playing Professor Sprout wasn't all that important because she is well within my capabilities as an actress. But in terms of marketability, it made an enormous difference.

- Miriam Margolyes

Development, Actress, Sprout

From my earliest days, reading was my passion, and at Cambridge, where I studied English literature, my intellectual life deepened and grew.

- Miriam Margolyes

Reading, Studied, Cambridge

I've always felt that Donald Trump was a Dickensian character because he is so ridiculous. With his hair and his arrogance, he is certainly Dickensian in his absurdity.

- Miriam Margolyes

Always, Certainly, Donald, None

I'm not sure I approve of theatre as a university course. I think theatre's something you do. I mean, literature is a subject; theatre is practical.

- Miriam Margolyes

Think, I Think, Sure, Approve

People tend to think I'm funny and fluffy, but I can switch on a sixpence from extreme happiness to utter despair. I'm aware that doesn't make it easy for people sometimes.

- Miriam Margolyes

Think, Sometimes, Utter, Despair

One of the worst things about ageing is the waning of your physical powers. I live in a house with 64 stairs, and I cannot run up and down them any more; my knee has conked out.

- Miriam Margolyes

Stairs, Run, About, Powers

Mummy was absolutely the rock in my life. It was not that I didn't love my father; he was such a quiet man, and she was not. She was the most vivid person I have ever known. She was accomplished and brave and fearless. She used to say to me, 'I want you to be able to talk to anyone about anything.'

- Miriam Margolyes

Love, Fearless, My Life, I Want You

Home is wherever I hang my hat.

- Miriam Margolyes

Home, Hat, Hang, Wherever

I was terribly upset not to be in 'Dickensian,' so I pretend to look down on it. The part I should have played, Mrs. Gamp, is done brilliantly by Pauline Collins, but I entered this world for no other reason than to play that part.

- Miriam Margolyes

Play, Reason, Upset, Collins

People who were gay were pitied and ridiculed by my parents - they had no modern sense of people being allowed to be who they were.

- Miriam Margolyes

Had, Allowed, Ridiculed, Pitied

I believe Jews are compassionate people because of what we've suffered. We must not put that suffering onto others.

- Miriam Margolyes

Suffering, Believe, Jews, Compassionate

Communication is something we all take for granted.

- Miriam Margolyes

Communication, Take, Granted, Take For Granted

I think I should be described as 'bi' - not bisexual, because I'm not - I'm gay - but 'binational' because I retain British nationality, and I add to it being Australian, which is like having your cake and eating it.

- Miriam Margolyes

Think, Add, Which, Nationality

My feeling is that the English are naturally anti-Semitic.

- Miriam Margolyes

Feeling, English, Naturally, Anti-Semitic

I'd have thought my particular brand of quirkiness, combined with sharp intelligence and a fine voice, would have yielded more. But it hasn't. Yet!

- Miriam Margolyes

Voice, Thought, More, Brand

Where I think the American actor is slightly at a disadvantage is in vocal technique. I don't think that words are their friend in the same way that English actors are used to using words: understanding about consonance and how to shade a vowel to show emotional color.

- Miriam Margolyes

Color, I Think, Slightly, Shade

I have to keep working because, although I have land, I'm not cash rich and don't have the wealth of high-profile actresses - don't say I'm an 'actor.' That's a bit too modern.

- Miriam Margolyes

Wealth, Rich, Say, Cash

I should have got thin, but I eat too much. I hate the word 'moderation.'

- Miriam Margolyes

Moderation, Should, Too, Thin

I don't think people realise how important it is to have your blood pressure checked. Stroke is so sudden, so catastrophic.

- Miriam Margolyes

Pressure, Think, Your, Stroke

Confidence was the backbone of my upbringing. I was an only child, so I was spoilt, loved, and given an enormous amount of confidence by my parents.

- Miriam Margolyes

Given, Amount, Spoilt, Only Child

I can't recall a bad review - maybe I'm due one. But the worst thing would be if somebody said I was inaudible. Reach your audience's ears - only then can you reach their hearts.

- Miriam Margolyes

Reach, Bad, Maybe, Review

I have no secrets. I decided very early on in life that the strongest position was to be completely open.

- Miriam Margolyes

Strongest, Very, Decided, Secrets

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, I would say, 'Lose weight.'

- Miriam Margolyes

Give, Younger, Could, If I Could

I am not the sort of person who divests myself of everything that came before I came to Australia. I want to take all the knowledge and experiences I gained when I was in England and put it at the service of Australia because I have to bring something to Australia - not just money but myself.

- Miriam Margolyes

Bring, Before, Put, Gained

With television, attention spans have been shortened. It's something we have to fight against: the dumbing down of the audience. To be part of an audience is a privilege. To be with the people on stage, to let them reach you. If you're doing a million other things, they won't reach you.

- Miriam Margolyes

Doing, Other, Been, Spans

Anti-Semitism is a rotten thing. It's an ignorant, stupid, horrible thing. As is anti-Muslim feeling. They have to be together.

- Miriam Margolyes

Stupid, Anti-Semitism, Rotten

I've been very lucky - I've worked consistently, and I haven't had to kiss a lot of people on stage.

- Miriam Margolyes

Lucky, Been, Very, Consistently

The American actor is much more used to being physically relaxed and using their bodies better, and English actors are a little bit unrelaxed, but they're better at vocal technique.

- Miriam Margolyes

More, Using, Bodies, Relaxed

Everything's harder for women: harder to start, to stay employed, to run a life with a family.

- Miriam Margolyes

Start, Run, Everything, Harder

My father was a doctor, so I thought I was going to be a doctor, too, but I couldn't do maths; I couldn't do science. I was hopeless at chemistry.

- Miriam Margolyes

Thought, Chemistry, Going, Hopeless

I've been fat my whole life and pretended I don't mind. But I do mind. It's really stupid that I've gone on being greedy and fat.

- Miriam Margolyes

Stupid, Mind, Been, Greedy

I think Britain is a bit class-ridden. People tend to be judged by how rounded their vowels are.

- Miriam Margolyes

Think, I Think, Vowels, Rounded

Unfortunately, I don't know many black people.

- Miriam Margolyes

Black, Know, Many, Unfortunately

My vocabulary is vast and expert, and I don't think I overuse any word.

- Miriam Margolyes

Think, Expert, Vocabulary, Vast

I love political cartoons from the 19th century, and whenever I complete a piece of acting work that I'm particularly proud of, be it a film or play, I treat myself to a picture by caricaturist James Gillray.

- Miriam Margolyes

Love, Treat, Play, Complete

I had a very good kiss from Bob Monkhouse once. I thought, 'If I was straight, I would go for Bob.'

- Miriam Margolyes

Thought, Go, Very, Bob

I wish I had a million in the bank. I like round figures. I am a round figure.

- Miriam Margolyes

Wish, Bank, Figure, Million

I'm not a comedian, but I do make people laugh. I'm good at it.

- Miriam Margolyes

Good, People, Make, Comedian

Being in Australia makes me happy. My partner is Australian, and my home is in Australia, and it's ridiculous not to be Australian - it's a logical step to take.

- Miriam Margolyes

Happy, Australian, Makes, Logical

Glenda Jackson called me an amateur in 1976 when we were in a play, 'The White Devil.' I've never forgiven her.

- Miriam Margolyes

Play, Devil, Amateur, Forgiven

I still miss my parents every day; I adored them. And when you have no children, friends are even more important to you.

- Miriam Margolyes

Every Day, More, Still, Miss

I really have fallen in love with myself.

- Miriam Margolyes

Love, Myself, Really, Fallen

I enjoy finding the right word and giving each its full measure, its full space in a sentence.

- Miriam Margolyes

Enjoy, Measure, Sentence, Right Word

I cannot accept violence.

- Miriam Margolyes

Accept, Cannot, Violence

I refused to be filmed getting off a bus twice. The director said, 'I'm an award-winning director. Please do it', and I said, 'I never thought I'd say this, but I'm an award-winning actress with a bad leg, and if your film depends on seeing me get in and out of a bus, we're in trouble.'

- Miriam Margolyes

Thought, Bus, Bad, Trouble

There's a strong melancholic streak in me.

- Miriam Margolyes

Strong, Me, Streak

My home in Adelaide was the Adina Hotel.

- Miriam Margolyes

Home, Hotel

It makes me very sad. Everyone's afraid of each other - Jews are afraid of Palestinians, Palestinians are afraid of Jews. Everywhere I see fear, not understanding. Reason went out of the window a long time ago.

- Miriam Margolyes

Reason, Other, Very, Everywhere

Israel is stupid for allowing people to vent their anti-Semitism.

- Miriam Margolyes

Stupid, Anti-Semitism, Vent

What most infuriates me is the cell phones. If I see someone texting during the show, I walk off the stage.

- Miriam Margolyes

Show, Phones, Texting, Cell Phones

I studied English literature in university, and then I went straight into radio.

- Miriam Margolyes

Literature, Straight, English Literature

I very much regret that I haven't been taken more seriously. I would love to have been at the National or the RSC.

- Miriam Margolyes

Love, Been, Very, Seriously

The first piece of property that I bought was in Tuscany in 1973.

- Miriam Margolyes

Property, First, Piece, Bought

It's very hard to talk about Palestine to Jewish people - they see me as a betrayer.

- Miriam Margolyes

See, Very, Jewish People, Palestine

It would be absurd to say I'm not British - you can hear it when I speak.

- Miriam Margolyes

Say, British, Would, Absurd

I'm a silly little needy person sometimes, and I crouch in a room all alone and think of all the people that I wish were with me.

- Miriam Margolyes

Silly, Think, I Wish, Room

I want to explore the range of emotions it is possible to feel.

- Miriam Margolyes

Explore, Emotions, Want, Range

I'm going to be 75 in May. How can I have lived this long and not know anything?

- Miriam Margolyes

How, Going, May, Lived

The main fear about growing old as an actor is not losing the looks. I never had any to speak of, and what I had I've still got, but losing the memory is another matter.

- Miriam Margolyes

Memory, Old, Still, Losing

It's really hard being old - it's horrible.

- Miriam Margolyes

Old, Hard, Being, Horrible

I don't like class distinction, and there is far too much of that in England.

- Miriam Margolyes

Like, Distinction, Too, England

As long as I am working, I am grateful and happy.

- Miriam Margolyes

Happy, I Am, Working, Grateful

What's the difference between herpes and love? Herpes is forever.

- Miriam Margolyes

Love, Difference, Between, Forever

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