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Shirley Temple Quotes

Powerful Shirley Temple for Daily Growth

About Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple Black, born April 23, 1928, in Santa Monica, California, was an iconic American child actress, diplomat, and singer who charmed the world during Hollywood's Golden Age. Known for her dimpled smile and curly hair, she is best remembered for her roles as a precocious, optimistic child in over two dozen films during the 1930s. Temple's career began at the tender age of three when she was discovered by movie executive, David O. Selznick, while shopping with her mother in Los Angeles. Her breakthrough role came in 1934 with 'Bright Eyes,' which cemented her status as a box-office sensation and brought her the nickname "The Little Miss Sunshine." Some of her most famous films include 'Stand Up and Cheer!', 'Curly Top', and 'Heidi'. Temple's infectious energy and charm helped her break racial barriers in American cinema by appealing to both black and white audiences. Her films earned over $2 billion in ticket sales, a record that stood unbroken until the release of Star Wars in 1977. After retiring from acting at age 21, Temple pursued a career as a diplomat, serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia between 1974 and 1976. She passed away on February 10, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of optimism, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. Notable Shirley Temple Quotes: 1. "Every time I think I'm having a bad day, I look back at my life and realize that everything has been wonderful." 2. "The best way to keep children happy is to let them have their own way all the time." 3. "I never wanted to grow up; Maturity is horrible. When I was a child I had imaginary friends, now I have real ones, and they're just as wonderful."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

The quote emphasizes that the most valuable gift during the holiday season is the presence and love of one's family, creating cherished memories together as opposed to material possessions. The imagery of "all wrapped up in each other" suggests a sense of warmth, closeness, and unity among family members. Overall, it highlights the importance of familial bonds and shared happiness over tangible gifts during festive occasions.

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."

This quote emphasizes the fleeting nature of success and failure and highlights their limited impact on one's character, with the true measure being courage in the face of adversity or challenge. Success can be temporary and may not ensure future successes, while failure does not imply an end to potential accomplishments. Instead, it encourages individuals to summon the courage necessary to continue trying despite setbacks. In essence, Shirley Temple suggests that personal fortitude is more important than either temporary triumphs or defeats in shaping one's life journey.

"Every little thing she does is magic." (Although this quote is actually from the song 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley, it was famously associated with Shirley Temple due to her portrayal of Dorothy Gale in 'The Wizard of Oz'.)

This quote, originating from Bob Marley's song "Three Little Birds," but popularly linked to Shirley Temple through her role as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz," signifies the charm and enchantment found in small, everyday actions. It highlights that even seemingly insignificant deeds can have profound, magical effects on those around us or in our own lives, reminding us to appreciate the power and beauty in simplicity.

"Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate."

Shirley Temple's quote suggests that children learn primarily through observation and imitation. This implies that if we provide them with positive role models, they will adopt those behaviors, values, and attitudes as their own. Therefore, it is crucial for adults to exhibit desirable traits and actions for the growth and development of future generations.

"You can adopt a style, but you must be the product of your own heart."

This quote suggests that while one may choose to emulate certain styles or appearances, true authenticity and character come from within, from the essence of who we are as individuals - our hearts. It's a reminder that imitation can only take us so far; genuine growth and development stem from self-discovery and cultivating one's unique qualities.

Dr. Kissinger was a former child. Jerry Ford was a former child. Even F.D.R. was a former child. I retired from the movies in 1949, and I'm still a former child.

- Shirley Temple

Still, Kissinger, Dr, Ford

I was in Vienna in August 1968 for a meeting of the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies, of which I was co-founder, and we wanted a 20th country to join. They asked for a volunteer to go to Prague to get Czechoslovakia to do it, and my hand always goes up first.

- Shirley Temple

Country, Get, Czechoslovakia, Asked

I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.

- Shirley Temple

Christmas, Took, Stopped, Asked

Men say, 'I've loved you since I was 7 years old,' and I say, 'Well, you never contacted me.' And very often women say, 'Do youuuuuu know what I have?' and I want to say, 'Yessssssss, I do.' Because inevitably the answer is, 'An original Shirley Temple doll.'

- Shirley Temple

Years, Very, Shirley, Inevitably

I wanted to be in the FBI. I also wanted to be a pie salesman.

- Shirley Temple

FBI, Wanted, Also, Salesman

When I saw work shoes, I would know that that person worked. I was very worried about people with shiny, pointed shoes as a child.

- Shirley Temple

Work, Very, Saw, Pointed

I've always been bossy.

- Shirley Temple

Always, Been, Bossy

My role models were Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt, and my major crush was J. Edgar Hoover.

- Shirley Temple

Role, Models, Roosevelt, Edgar

Shirley Temple opens doors for Shirley Temple Black.

- Shirley Temple

Black, Doors, Shirley, Opens

I did an imitation of him to make the crew laugh. To my shock, there was Cary Grant behind me. He got very angry. I was sent all the way from RKO to David Selznick's office and was told not to do it anymore. I thought to myself, 'I must have been pretty good to make him that angry.'

- Shirley Temple

Behind, Been, Very, Grant

I'm not too proud of the movies I made as a grownup except for 'That Hagen Girl', which nobody remembers but which gave me a chance to act.

- Shirley Temple

Chance, Proud, Which, Grownup

Biographies of me have usually been compiled from old newspaper clips, untruthful publicity stories, and reminiscences of people who claim to have known me well.

- Shirley Temple

Newspaper, Been, Stories, Claim

I class myself with Rin Tin Tin. People in the Depression wanted something to cheer them up, and they fell in love with a dog and a little girl.

- Shirley Temple

Love, Myself, Them, Tin

I've led three lives: the acting part, wife and mother - which is a career - and international relations. I'm proud of my career, the first one, and I'm proud of the other two, too.

- Shirley Temple

Career, Other, Which, Relations

I wanted to be the first girl in my class to get married. From the seventh grade on, I used to write in my yearbook under each senior's picture, 'married' or 'engaged.' I had marriage on the brain.

- Shirley Temple

Used, Engaged, Had, Get Married

I work a seventeen hour day, and I'm personally responsible for 108 staff members in the embassy.

- Shirley Temple

Work, Hour, Personally, Embassy

Time is money. Wasted time means wasted money means trouble.

- Shirley Temple

Money, Wasted Time, Means, Time Is Money

The U.N. acts as the world's conscience, and over eighty-five percent of the work that is done by the United Nations is in the social, economic, educational and cultural fields.

- Shirley Temple

Over, Educational, Economic

I ran for Congress, just once.

- Shirley Temple

Congress, Just, Once, Ran

One famous movie executive, who shall remain nameless, exposed himself to me in his office. 'Mr X,' I said, 'I thought you were a producer, not an exhibitor.'

- Shirley Temple

Thought, Famous, Movie, Exposed

I wish my name was Cobb. Then they would send over a Cobb salad.

- Shirley Temple

Wish, I Wish, Over, Send

Many people consider me an old friend.

- Shirley Temple

Me, Friend, Old, Old Friend

Shirley Temple doesn't hurt Shirley Temple Black. Shirley Temple helps Shirley Temple Black. She is thought of as a friend - which I am!

- Shirley Temple

Thought, Which, Shirley, Temple

There's nothing like real love. Nothing.

- Shirley Temple

Love, Nothing, Like, Real Love

I remember telling President Carter on his first night, when I was escorting people around, that I was interested in continuing public service and that politics didn't matter - but it does, doesn't it?

- Shirley Temple

Politics, Night, Telling, Continuing

I was absolutely bathed in love. I was so young, starting at age 3, that working seemed very normal. I thought everybody went to work.

- Shirley Temple

Love, Normal, Very, Starting

I have one piece of advice for those of you who want to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award: Start early!

- Shirley Temple

Achievement, Advice, Receive, Early

By the time I got to the Fox studio for my first major film, I knew how to hit a mark. I knew how to memorize lines. I knew how to pay attention.

- Shirley Temple

Knew, Studio, By The Time, Lines

Nothing crushes freedom as substantially as a tank.

- Shirley Temple

Freedom, Nothing, Tank, Crushes

I loved what I did. I remember cruel mothers who would pinch their children to make them cry in a scene, but my mother encircled me with affection.

- Shirley Temple

Cruel, I Remember, Pinch, Affection

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