In the world of cinema, few names resonate as deeply as Morgan Freeman's. With a career spanning over six decades, this iconic actor's talent and unmistakable voice have left an indelible mark on the film industry. Beyond his remarkable performances, Freeman is known for his wisdom and profound insights, which are beautifully encapsulated in a collection of inspirational "Morgan Freeman Quotes." These words of wisdom offer not only a glimpse into the mind of a seasoned actor but also provide valuable life lessons that can resonate with people from all walks of life.
Join us as we delve into the world of Morgan Freeman's quotes, where his timeless wisdom serves as a guiding light for those seeking inspiration and guidance in their journey through life.
Morgan Freeman Quotes (2024)
Morgan Freeman, the legendary actor known for his iconic voice and commanding presence on screen, offers not only memorable performances but also a treasure trove of insightful and motivational quotes. These "Morgan Freeman Quotes" reflect not only his remarkable talent but also his profound wisdom and perspectives on life. In this collection, you'll find a diverse range of quotes that touch on themes such as success, perseverance, empathy, and the importance of following one's dreams. Let these words of wisdom from a cinematic legend inspire and uplift you on your own life journey.
"I can say that life is good to me. Has been and is good. So I think my task is to be good to it."
"The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit."
"We humans are more concerned with having than with being."
"I don't get angry very often. I lose my temper rarely. And when I do, there's always a legitimate cause."
"When you have to dream, dream big."
"I don't have to work. I could stop and never have to worry about paying the rent. I'm working for the joy of doing it."
"I've never worked a day in my life. I've played."
"If you live a life of make-believe, your life isn't worth anything until you do something that does challenge your reality."
"Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen—that stillness becomes a radiance."
"Challenge yourself; it's the only path which leads to growth."
"I don't want to be a good actor; I want to be a great actor."
"You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you."
"The best way to help yourself is to help others."
"Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it."
"You want to be more memorable as a character, not as a person."
"Do I have a long-term plan? Kind of. I know the kind of overarching story that I'm going to be telling, but the specifics I don't know."
"The challenge, really, on any new film is to try to make the audience care about your character."
"I knew at an early age I wanted to act. Acting was always easy for me. I don't believe in predestination, but I do believe that once you get where ever it is you are going, that is where you were going to be."
"One of the things you can always depend on – this is one of the truths of the universe, and you heard it first from here – whatever we decide we want to do is what we do."
"I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright."
"When I was a teenager, I began to settle into school because I'd discovered the extracurricular activities that interested me: music and theater."
"The highest power is the human mind. That's where God came from, and my belief in God is my belief in myself."
"In my movies, I'm not trying to erase any old image of myself, really. And also, I'm not trying to imitate anyone else's work."
"Life doesn't offer you promises whatsoever, so it's very easy to become, 'Whatever happened to… ?' It's great to be wanted. I spent a few years not being wanted, and it was great. When I wasn't wanted, I did a lot of other things."
"I'm not intimidated by lead roles. I'm better in them. I don't feel pressure; I feel released at times like that. That's what I'm born to do."
"I've never been one to sit around and… well, I guess, sit around and cry over spilt milk. I'm too busy looking for the next cow."
"There's no mystery to it. Nothing more complicated than learning lines and putting on a costume."
"If you don't know what to do, do nothing. Get quiet so you can hear the still, small voice – your inner GPS guiding you to true North."
"The best way to teach morality is to make it interesting."
"I've always been the most open book. I've never really hid much."
"The only thing you can do is to try and make yourself better."
"I knew that I could vote and that that wasn't a privilege; it was my right. Every time I tried, I was shot, killed, or jailed, beaten, left for dead… So I just said, 'The hell with it. I'm not going to try anymore.'"
"There is no need to worry about mere size. We do not necessarily respect a fat man more than a thin man. Sir Isaac Newton was very much smaller than a hippopotamus, but we do not on that account value him less."
"If you want to see a miracle, be the miracle."
"I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history."
"If you wake up and the snow is knee-deep outside, you are not filled with rage. It's just something that you've got to cope with. If you're living in a situation it's the only situation that you know, and you've got to deal with it."
"Was I always going to be here? No, I was not. I was going to be homeless at one time, a taxi driver, truck driver, or any kind of job that would get me a crust of bread. You never know what's going to happen."
"You always want to be better than your parents."
"The story of life is quicker than the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye."
"There is no quitting. There's no back door. I'm going through, going through, going through."
"For me, acting is not about showing my presence, it's about showing my absence."
"The first thing that always pops into my head regarding our president-elect is that he is not the president of Black America. He is the president of the United States of America."
"When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."
"You can't take credit for talent; you can only take credit for using it."
"I'm not a controlling guy. But you know, I have to be in control of my work."
"I don't care what your race is. Or what your country of origin is. Everyone deserves respect."
"If your life turns out to be good and you have a tremendous amount of luck in your life, it's a good thing to turn around and make it work for others."
"I'm always looking for a new challenge. There are a lot of mountains to climb out there. When I run out of mountains, I'll build a new one."
"I've been living with myself all of my life, so I know all of me."
"If you're living a good life, it becomes your philosophy."
"People need to start to think about the messages that they send in the movies."
"You don't have to be a person of influence to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me."
"In this business, you just never know from day to day. It's one reason I held off getting too involved in entertainment. I like being home."
"I think I'm a character actor in that I play well-defined characters."
"There is no way we can step forward and start saying, 'You are not Americans.'"
"You don't have to like the people you love."
"I can say that life is good to me. Has been, and is good. So I think my task is to be good to it. So how do you be good to life? You live it."
"Sometimes the hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn."
"In my movies, I always try to take care of the small details because I think it's important for the actors and the audience to see the characters and the story as real people and not just as characters on the screen."
"You have to be able to let go of the things that don't make you better."
"Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance."
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
"Challenge yourself; it's the only path that leads to growth."
"Hope is the driving force that propels us forward in life."
"Fear can be a great motivator."
"If you're not willing to work hard, let someone else do it. I'd rather be with someone who does a horrible job but gives 110% than with someone who does a good job and gives 60%."
"When you have to tell a story, it becomes a good story when you tell it. It's like therapy. It's cathartic. It's healing."
"I've been lucky. I've been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and have the right people in my life."
"I don't get off on romantic parts. But I often think if I had had my dental work done early on, well, maybe."
"I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You're not scared. You're an asshole."
"Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear."
"You're going to relegate my history to a month?"
"Drunk driving is not cool. I've seen firsthand the consequences of those actions. I've had friends who've had their lives changed forever because of someone else's decision to drink and drive."
"The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity."
"A new day has dawned for the African American man."
"I once heard a wise man say there are no perfect men. Only perfect intentions."
"In Mississippi, there are more black men in prison than there are in college."
"Acting means living, it's all I do and all I'm good at. If I weren't getting paid well, I would still be acting in a small troupe somewhere."
"I've been blessed. I have no complaints. I've been surrounded by people in radio, on stage and in motion pictures and television who love me. The things that have gone wrong have been simply physical things."
"You can't get it done sitting on the couch thinking about it. You've got to get out there and try."
"I've always felt that if you're not on your side, why should anyone else be? So I always encourage people to be confident, and sometime even a little falsely so, just so you can give yourself an opportunity."
"Life doesn't offer you promises whatsoever so it's very easy to become, 'Whatever happened to… ?' It's great to be wanted. I spent a few years not being wanted and this is better."
"I want to thank everybody who's made this day necessary."
"When you have made it to the top, turn and reach down to help others climb."
"Don't be different just for different's sake. If you see it differently, function that way. Follow your own muse, always."
"I'm not one for blaspheming, but that one made me laugh."
"I think it's always challenging to play a character who's emotionally closed off."
"I can't say that I ever really liked poetry when I was young."
"To challenge yourself and learn new things - that's what makes life exciting."
"Morgan Freeman is not in the business of acting. He's in the business of being Morgan Freeman."
"The reason actors, artists, writers have agents is because we'll do it for nothing. That's a basic fact - you gotta do it."
"As you grow in this business, you learn how to do more with less."
"I gravitate toward gravitas."
"Life is like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."
"Fear of failure… It's the greatest motivational tool. It drives me and drives me and drives me."
"Never let pride be your guiding mentor."
"I can't stop being the actor because I am an actor."
"I'm not a mystic. I'm not a spiritualist. I believe in the spirit, but I'm not a spiritualist. I don't believe in white light or any of that stuff."
"I don't want to be the Black actor, I want to be an actor."
"Life is like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."
In a world that often seeks guidance and inspiration, Morgan Freeman's quotes serve as a timeless source of motivation and reflection. They remind us that, regardless of our backgrounds or circumstances, we possess the ability to shape our destinies, overcome adversity, and make a positive impact on the world around us. As we continue our own journeys, let us carry with us the lessons and perspectives encapsulated in these Morgan Freeman quotes, using them as beacons of light to guide us through the complexities of life and the pursuit of our dreams.
