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Cultivate solitude and quiet and a few sincere friends, rather than mob merriment, noise and thousands of nodding acquaintances.

William Powell

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William Powell
Age: 91 †
Born: 1892
Born: July 29
Died: 1984
Died: January 1
Actor
Film Actor
Stage Actor
Television Actor
Pittsburg
Pennsylvania
William Horatio Powell
Friendship
Nodding
Quiet
Acquaintance
Friends
Cultivate
Rather
Sincere
Inspirational
Math
Thousands
Noise
Merriment
Solitude
Acquaintances

More quotes by William Powell

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I detest symbolic protest, as it is an outcry of weak, middle-of-the-road, liberal eunuchs. If an individual feels strongly enough about something to do something about it, then he shouldn't prostitute himself by doing something symbolic. He should get out and do something real.
William Powell
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One of the greatest myths of all time is that so-called civilized man is no longer an animal, and for that reason can strive to disarm himself and grow fat with false concepts.
William Powell
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Believe it or not, bananas do contain a small quantity of Musa Sapientum bananadine, which is a mild, short-lasting psychedelic.
William Powell
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It has got to the point in this country where men believe they are men, just because that is their birthright. If that is true, then, by the same logic, an animal held captive in a zoo is still a free wild beast.
William Powell
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A revolution was never fought, throughout history, for ideals. Revolutions were fought for much more concrete things: food, clothes, housing, and to relieve intolerable oppression. … I know of no one, outside of Patrick Henry, willing to die for an abstraction.
William Powell
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If I could come out in this book and advocate complete revolution and the violent overthrow of the United States of America, without being thrown in jail, I would not have written The Anarchist Cookbook, and there would be no need for it.
William Powell
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Unfortunately, or perhaps it is fortunate that I have always been forced to stand on my acting ability. I haven't a personality such as Jack Gilbert's, for instance, that attracts women and makes them like me for myself. When I am on the screen I must make them forget me entirely and think only of my acting.
William Powell
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Dessert is probably the most important stage of the meal, since it will be the last thing your guests remember before they pass out all over the table.
William Powell
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Have you noticed that the people who actually make the laws, the people in power, never make laws for themselves?
William Powell
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The only laws a man can truly respect are the ones he makes for himself.
William Powell
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A government creates its own revolution. There can be no revolt without it.
William Powell
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A word of advice: If you get the choice between the upper and lower bunks in a cell, choose the lower. Prisons do not turn off their lights at night, and I spent a sleepless night, without a mattress, with a five-hundred-watt bulb shining directly into my eyes.
William Powell
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It seems acceptable today to scream for revolution, without any concept of what will follow it. This is just what the forces at large want, for who will follow a man who doesn't know where he's going?
William Powell
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I highly recommend worrying. It is much more effective than dieting.
William Powell
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Every person, whether in wartime or not, should keep a pistol and rifle in his house at all times. If a person is not going to protect himself, and wishes the government to do it for him, how can he complain when the government decides to protect itself against him, and executes him?
William Powell
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My friends have stood by me marvelously in the ups and downs of my career. I don't believe there is anything more worthwhile in life than friendship. Friendship is a far better thing than love, as it is commonly accepted.
William Powell
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Why did God make so many dumb fools and Democrats?
William Powell
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There is only one purpose in hand-to-hand combat, and that is to kill. Never face an enemy with the idea of knocking him out. The chances are extremely good that he will kill you.
William Powell
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Power is not a material possession that can be given, it is the ability to act. Power must be taken, it is never given.
William Powell
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Prison does strange things to men. Although its purpose is to break the free spirit of a man, in many cases it just adds fuel to the fire that has never been and will never be extinguished.
William Powell