Do you know, I've never really grown up? It's a hard thing for me to play this game. In politics, one must meet people, and that's... not easy for me.... When I was a little fellow, as long ago as I can remember, I would go into a panic if I heard stranger voices in the house. I felt I just couldn't meet the people and shake hands with them. Most of the visitors would sit with Mother and Father in the kitchen and the hardest thing in the world was to go through the door and give them a greeting.... I'm all right with old friends, but every time I meet a stranger, I've got to go through the old kitchen door, back home, and it's not easy.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I've been opened and undressed. I have no arms or legs.... I'm all one skin like a fish. I'm no more a woman than Christ was a man.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
psychologist Ultimately it's all a matter of style. What it comes down to is this: Do you spell Jennifer with a J or G? That'...s a class division. As a populist, I'm all for G.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
John Robie: And jewelry--you never wear any. Frances Stevens: I don't like cold things touching my skin.... John Robie: Why don't you invent some hot diamonds? Frances Stevens: I'd rather spend my money on more tangible excitement. John Robie: Tell me, what do you get a thrill out of most? Frances Stevens: I'm still looking for that one. He has ... a very good opinion of himself, which can by no means be considered a failing, for if a man does not esteem himself, he would certainly be very silly to expect the esteem of others. And although he is also well convinced of the importance of self-esteem, there is, perhaps, no one who more heartily detests open flattery than he does, and yet, strange to say, it sometimes sounds very pleasant to his ears; it puts him in such good humor with himself, and of course, with all about him, that he seems like quite another being while under its agreeable influence.... Now, I do not mean that he entertains an exalted opinion of his talents or acquirements, but merely that he thinks himself possessed of a good share of common sense, by which is meant a sound practical judgment of what is correct in the common affairs of life.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
My first big mistake was made when, in a moment of weakness, I consented to learn the game; for a man who can frankly say "I do no...t play bridge" is allowed to go over in the corner and run the pianola by himself, while the poor neophyte, no matter how much he may protest that he isn't "at all a good player, in fact I'm perfectly rotten," is never believed, but dragged into a game where it is discovered, too late, that he spoke the truth.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I know you're here.... What's wrong? Are you afraid to speak up? Is that all you're good for, to frighten women? Well, I'm not afr...aid of you. Whoever heard of a cowardly ghost?LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Mighty few young black women are doin' domestic work. And I'm glad. That's why I want my kids to go to school. This one lady told ...me, "All you people are gettin' like that." I said, "I'm glad." There's no more gettin' on their knees.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »