Penelope Keith Quotes

Powerful Penelope Keith for Daily Growth

About Penelope Keith

Penelope Keith (born October 15, 1930) is a renowned English actress, best known for her roles in the BBC sitcoms 'The Good Life' and 'Justice'. Born in Nottingham, England, she developed a passion for acting at an early age, influenced by her parents who were both actors. After attending the Central School of Speech and Drama, she began her professional career on stage, making her West End debut in 1953. However, it was her television roles that brought her widespread fame. In the 1970s, Keith starred as Margo Leadbetter in 'The Good Life', a show that humorously explored the counter-cultural lifestyle of self-sufficiency. Her portrayal of a traditional housewife embracing an alternative way of life was both groundbreaking and iconic. The show ran for five successful seasons, earning Keith numerous awards. In the 1980s, she moved to 'Justice', another popular sitcom where she played a judge. This role further cemented her status as one of Britain's most beloved actresses. Throughout her career, she has also appeared in numerous films and continued to work on stage, receiving critical acclaim for her performances in plays like 'Private Lives' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. In addition to her acting career, Keith has authored several books, including 'Penelope Keith's England', a series that explores the English countryside. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1982 for services to drama. Today, she continues to act and write, maintaining her status as a beloved figure in British entertainment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There's nothing like a trip away from home for opening your eyes to what you really have."

This quote by Penelope Keith suggests that traveling can provide us with a new perspective on our lives, helping us appreciate the things we have at home more deeply. By leaving familiar surroundings and immersing ourselves in different environments, we gain clarity about what truly matters to us and may develop a greater sense of gratitude for our own lives.


"I think we live in the past too much; we should be living for today, enjoying every moment of it."

This quote by Penelope Keith encourages us to focus on and appreciate the present moment instead of dwelling excessively on the past. The sentiment is that living in the past can hinder our ability to enjoy the richness of life as it unfolds, and that each moment is a unique opportunity for joy and growth. It's a call to embrace the present and seize the day, making the most of our experiences and connections with others.


"Life is about making the best of what you have."

This quote by Penelope Keith suggests that life's purpose is to optimize and make the most out of our available resources, whether these are material possessions, skills, or opportunities. It encourages a positive, proactive approach to living, emphasizing the importance of making the best use of what one has, rather than dwelling on what one lacks. The quote underscores resilience, adaptability, and a determination to make a meaningful life despite any limitations or challenges.


"I do believe that everything happens for a reason."

This quote suggests a belief in destiny, where every event or circumstance in life is part of a larger, predetermined plan or purpose. It implies that each occurrence, whether perceived as good or bad, serves a greater function or lessons in the grand scheme of an individual's journey through life. The quote encourages people to find meaning and understanding in their experiences rather than lamenting over the uncontrollable events that transpire.


"You can't keep putting things off because life goes on and before you know it, time has slipped away."

This quote by Penelope Keith underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and taking action in life, as time is a precious and non-renewable resource that slips away quickly. The message encourages individuals to avoid procrastination or postponing their dreams and goals, reminding us that life continues regardless of our actions (or lack thereof). By acknowledging this truth, we are motivated to live intentionally, pursuing our passions and making the most of each moment. In essence, it's a call to action, urging us not to waste our time but to use it meaningfully and purposefully.


I plant a lot of trees. I am a great believer in planting things for future generations. I loathe the now culture where you just live for today.

- Penelope Keith

Gardening, Loathe, Am, Believer

Shyness is just egoism out of its depth.

- Penelope Keith

Just, Egoism, Shyness, Depth

Older people, who just happen to have been around longer, may not be cleverer than the young, but they have seen more.

- Penelope Keith

Happen, Been, May, Older People

I don't think actors ever retire, they just stop being asked to work.

- Penelope Keith

Think, Stop, Ever, Retire

I'm sure that is a reason why young people occasionally bash up old people - because the ages don't mix any more.

- Penelope Keith

Reason, Young, Sure, Old People

I'm a bit of a Scotophile. I have a house on the Black Isle, so I'm in Scotland quite a lot and think Edinburgh is just the most beautiful city.

- Penelope Keith

City, Black, Think, Edinburgh

I don't feel 'vibes' when I enter a building - don't feel the previous owners looking down on me. But I do know when a place feels friendly.

- Penelope Keith

Friendly, Feels, Previous, Vibes

So often actors only mix with actors, which is quite incestuous, and doesn't give them the insight into how other people work.

- Penelope Keith

Give, Other, Which, Mix

Everyone wants instant everything, and they want instant success, but I always think you should treat things in the arts like a garden, and let them grow.

- Penelope Keith

Gardening, Think, Always, Garden

We always had chocolates and my mother was careful to make sure they were unwrapped in advance so the paper wouldn't rustle in the middle of a performance.

- Penelope Keith

Middle, Always, Sure, Rustle

We have this wonderful language and we don't appreciate it. That's old-fashioned me, but when I went to school, everyone had elocution lessons, not to sound posh but so you could be understood.

- Penelope Keith

Everyone, Could, Posh, Understood

I don't believe in public humiliation. It went out with the stocks.

- Penelope Keith

Believe, Public, Stocks, Humiliation

In my book, all manners are is thinking of somebody else.

- Penelope Keith

Book, Thinking, Else, Manners

With a play, you do it and it's gone. Films always date. Television drama always dates. Television comedy, for some reason, seems to go on.

- Penelope Keith

Play, Date, Always, Dates

I'm not against accents - my husband's from Lancashire and has a rural Lancs accent. We've just got back from Scotland yesterday, and I love that Highland burr.

- Penelope Keith

Love, Against, Accents, Accent

I think it is very sad that 'sitcom' has become a pejorative term.

- Penelope Keith

Think, I Think, Very, Sitcom

In this great age of communication, there a lot of people you can't actually understand. I know everyone tweets, and twits and texts and all that, but actually we've all got voices, and it is awfully nice to hear them and if you can understand what people are saying.

- Penelope Keith

Got, Tweets, Lot, Texts

I always used to say when I was on television that I prefer to be on stage and when on stage I prefer to do television. Typical human condition.

- Penelope Keith

Always, Human Condition, Typical

I love touring, I really do.

- Penelope Keith

Love, I Love, Really, Touring

The character I play in Star Quality says acting is the be-all and end-all of her life. I'm not like that. I do enjoy working and I give every job my best shot but I never feel, What on Earth am I going to do now?

- Penelope Keith

Enjoy, Play, Feel, End-All

A lot of people have it - that fantasy of being lord or lady of the manor, either in the present or at some time in history.

- Penelope Keith

Some, Either, Lot, Lady

Language is my bugbear. Everyone says things now like 'I was sat' instead of 'I was sitting', which just sounds so ugly.

- Penelope Keith

Everyone, Like, Which, Sat

I'm a realist.

- Penelope Keith

Realist

Young people don't want to sit at home and watch television; they'd sooner be out doing their own thing.

- Penelope Keith

Doing, Young, Sooner, Young People

I think I'm a better actress for having friends and interests outside the theatre. I wouldn't want to live my life surrounded by other actors all the time.

- Penelope Keith

My Life, Think, Actress, Surrounded

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