Shyness is just egotism out of its depth.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Gem, there is an exception to every rule and we are going to be it. I'm not losing you.

Words are weapons stronger than he knows. And songs are even greater. The words wake the mind. The melody wakes the heart.

Captain and coach must be seen to be banging the same drum.

The piano song that I do in the movie [The Hangover], it's a great example, that was never - that wasn't in the script.

I lack nothing. I only needed myself.

We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.

"So you have your price."... "Your soul for a cookie."

I am learning how to be angry and sad and lonely and joyful and excited and afraid and happy.

Woodcock would have scored but his shot was too perfect.