“The most important thing is to enjoy life – to be happy – that’s all that matters.” (5)
Quotes from Audrey Hepburn on her humanitarian role
“I saw but one glaring truth: These are not natural disasters but man-made tragedies for which there is only one man-made solution-peace.” (1)
“The ‘Third World’ is a term I don’t like very much, because we’re all one world. I want people to know that the largest part of humanity is suffering.” (1)
“I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” said actress Audrey Hepburn on her appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador in 1989. “I have a long-lasting gratitude and trust for what UNICEF does.” As a result of her work for UNICEF over subsequent years, that gratitude is mutual.”(2)
“I auditioned for this job for forty-five years and I finally got it. I always felt very powerless when I would see the terrible pictures on TV. But I was offered a wonderful opportunity to do something [and it] is a marvellous therapy to the anguish I feel.” (3)
“It makes me self-conscious. It’s because I’m known, in the limelight, that it’s getting all the gravy, but if you knew, if you saw some of the people who make it possible for UNICEF to help these children survive. These are the people who do the jobs-the unknowns, whose names you will never know…I at least get a dollar a year, but they don’t.” (4)
“Taking care of children has nothing to do with politics. I think perhaps with time, instead of there being a politicisation of humanitarian aid, there will be a humanisation of politics.”
“People in these places don’t know Audrey Hepburn, but they recognise the name UNICEF. When they see UNICEF their faces light up, because they know that something is happening. In the Sudan, for example, they call a water pump UNICEF.”
Audrey Hepburn Quotes on Life
“I decided, very early on, just to accept life unconditionally; I never expected it to do anything special for me, yet I seemed to accomplish far more than I had ever hoped. Most of the time it just happened to me without my ever seeking it.”(5)
I’m not a born actress, as such, I care about expressing feelings.” (5)
“I decided, very early on, just to accept life unconditionally; I never expected it to do anything special for me, yet I seemed to accomplish far more than I had ever hoped. Most of the time it just happened to me without my ever seeking it.” (5)
“People associate me with a time when movies were pleasant, when women wore pretty dresses in films and you heard beautiful music. I always love it when people write me and and say ‘I was having a rotten time, and I walked into a cinema and saw one of your movies, and it made such a difference.'” (5)
“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” (5)
“Whatever a man might do, whatever misery or heartache your children might give you – and they give you a lot – however much your parents irritate you – it doesn’t matter because you love them.” (5)
“I was born with something that appealed to an audience at that particular time…I acted instinctively. I’ve had one of the greatest schools of all – a whole row of great, great directors.” (5)
“How shall I sum up my life? I think I’ve been particularly lucky. Does that have something to do with faith also? I know my mother always used to say, ‘Good things aren’t supposed to just fall in your lap. God is very generous, but he expects you to do your part first.’ So you have to make that effort. But at the end of a bad time or a huge effort, I’ve always had – how shall I say it? – the prize at the end. My whole life shows that.” (5)
“Living is like tearing through a museum. Not until later do you really start absorbing what you saw, thinking about it, looking it up in a book, and remembering – because you can’t take it all in at once.” (5)
“I’m not beautiful. My mother once called me an ugly duckling. But, listed separately, I have a few good features. (5)
“[I have] enormous faith, but it’s not attached to any one in particular religion…. My mother was one thing, my father another. In Holland they were all Calvinists. That has no importance at all to me.” (5)
“I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and short memory! I wish I’d invented it, because it is very true.”
Recommended Books on Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Style at Amazon
Audrey Hepburn Treasures at Amazon.
In this illustrated biography, Audrey’s own words are given centre stage to create a unique personal narrative. Highly Recommended
Related
Actors – Famous actors, including Alec Guinness, Michael Caine, Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
References
(1) A.Hepburn
(2) Audrey Hepburn quotes – UNICEF
(3) Hepburn Quotes
(4) Hepburn Quotes
(5) Audrey 1 Quotes
Other sources
| Audrey Hepburn, Barry Paris, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1996. | |
| Audrey: Her Real Story, Alexander Walker, St. Martin’s Press, 1994. | |
| Audrey Hepburn, Warren G. Harris, Simon & Schuster, 1994. |