Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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“For me, having a greater social media following or covers doesn't make you a star. What is your body of work? What work do you have in your profile? It's easy to get hits and Facebook likes and awards, but you can't get critical approval from the masses if you can't act.”
Sajal Aly (born 1994) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sumaira Jajja (6 December 2017). "After what I've been through I find it difficult to take stardom seriously: Sajal Ali". Dawn Images.
“I was born in this country and I have as much right to work and live as you do, and I certainly have more right to cinema than you, who have done nothing but prevent my work. I am a filmmaker, and it is because of my existence and that of other filmmakers that you sit behind that table, in a room from which you treat us like slaves, listening to orders and taking orders?”
Bahram Beyzai (1938–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is a lot of hard work to release songs back to back. I produce my music and I travel for events. I come back and I head back to the studio. It means I work round the clock. It is a lot of energy.”
Frank Edwards (born 1989) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is a difference between a job and work. Your job is what you do to earn a living, but your work is the full expression of your design or gift. You cannot retire from being yourself, but you can retire from a job.”
Eben (singer) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tribune Online (15 September 2019)
“Well, I’ve been a fan of Louis’ for years and years and years, and an old friend as well, so I’ve always wanted to work with him, and even while I was living in L.A. for eight years, I used to call him often saying, ‘Just send me another play, send me another play so I can read it’. I just wanted to read his stuff, not thinking I’d ever work with him because I was living somewhere else”
Carl Beukes (born 1976) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It’s the same level of work, the same depth of emotion, it’s just in a different context. I was watching Mad Max and that director really pulled it together. There is so much symbolism in his work and comments on society, women, and the patriarchal system. It was really interesting and I think if it were a war movie, maybe it would get nominated for an Oscar.”
Shannon Kook (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was initially drawn to the project because STARZ had produced such great work in the past, such as the award-winning Spartacus TV series, and because Michael Bay was attached to produce his first foray into television, which was obviously a bonus. It was a no-brainer, really – what actor doesn’t want to work on a new pirate TV series?”
Sean Cameron Michael (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We must set our eyes on the common values and common future that unites us. To work every day to strengthen the spirit of Virginia, and redeem the promise of our people. It’s day one. Let’s get to work.”
Glenn Youngkin (born 1966) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We’ve got to get away from this idea that work is what really matters because it’s life that matters and how happy you are. That’s far more important than what work you manage to do.”
Patricia Fara (born 1948) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 2021
“I have found out that my concerns and fears are often in some way related to self-doubt, so I constantly try to work on myself and believing in my work. The concerns have become less in the process.”
Efua Traoré (born 1976) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That means the only thing that stands between you and the attainment of your dreams is hard work. Only hard work differentiates people in our society now”
Fatima Chohan wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It has been great. As you know, premier Lesufi has combined the two departments, so it has been very interesting to get the two departments to work together, understanding that primary to the work that they need to do, is to answer the issue of food security in the province.”
Mbali Hlophe wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If God’s called you to be a writer, you want to discuss your writing with God all the time and commit your writing to God…. While you work, remember who you are. You are writing for the King. There is no substitute for persistence, diligence, hard work and never giving up. It’s a message I’d love to have ringing in our ears every day.”
Lawrence Darmani (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It becomes a learning curve for us, exposure and understanding how a ministry is run and understanding what are the responsibilities of a political head — how they work hand in hand with other officials of government who work under their political leadership.”.”
Zama Khanyase wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My hope is that I approach those students' work in as honest, thoughtful and critical a fashion as I would the work of any established author of published fiction.”
Bayo Ojikutu (born 1971) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On his philosophy of teaching creative writing. Shoptalk: Bayo Ojikutu, Newcity Lit, 18 July 2011.
“So truly, we came on board to support the executive and work with them for us to be able to meet the aspirations of Nigerians. I think if you look at it from that perspective, we have to appreciate the fact that we are not here to fight ourselves; we are all here to work for a common goal which is to make this country better. It is for our own collective good.”
Saidu Musa Abdullahi (born 1979) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If this is your country, this is your future; take hold of it, work for it, build it. Don’t let anyone tell you to run away because you have a degree. This is your country; you’re coming back here, so let’s work to build one for you, and you help us build this country for you.”
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My work often reflects feelings of nostalgia, saudade and ennui. It’s difficult to depart from one’s home country, especially when the future is uncertain. I find myself frequently missing my childhood home and the memories associated with it. The plants, flowers and creatures in my work are sourced from these memories, representing a longing for a time that no longer exists.”
Wangechi Mutu (born 1972) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Have a little bit of faith in the art community. With commitment, discipline and a great work ethic, they can make it work for themselves.”
Abduragman Adams wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have reaffirmed that it’s about what you believe in no matter what you see. And everything I saw, everything I said, as much as they told me it’s not going to work, I still made it work.”
Sarkodie (rapper) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In engaging with the work, I hope to connect, to see what of my personal is actually public. Images allow us to meet at a collective memory. I wish people can relate while having their own interpretation. Just like music. Music brings us closer to our own experiences… In a way I hope the work reads like songs.”
Thato Toeba (born 1990) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Queer Artist Thato Toeba Wins 2025 FNB Art Prize-MAMBA ONLINE.COM (19 August 2025)
“I have never cared for this particular phrase ‘Open Up the industry’ because it's what we do every day of our lives. We open up the industry to new and old talent. We open up the industry to the world. We give hundreds of actors work opportunity every single year, we give long term work to loyal-hardworking actors and crew.”
Shona Ferguson (1972–2021) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Shona Ferguson sets the record 'straight' on claims of recycling actors: report", DRUM (10 December 2020)
“The idea of the work, the accumulation of the materials, the putting them together, the sharing of a work are all part of a ritual. This process of objectification is … purification. Once in the world, the artwork can become part of someone else’s ritual.”
Betye Saar (1926–2026) said by 2026 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes it’s good to not have everybody like the work because that is what a work of art is”
Mamela Nyamza (born 1976) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I always say that if I’m the greatest and you’re also in the room, you can be the greatest too. It’s about pushing excellence in the work I do, the quality of music we put out, our work ethic, performance and how we look.”
Focalistic (born 1996) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I realize that as a writer my work is subject to scrutiny and that I must not be incensed or react inhospitably when someone points out defects in my work. It actually helps me to grow as a writer”
Shadreck Chikoti (born 1979) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is important to understand that in Morocco, everyone is connected to craft and to handmade things. If you want to wear something to a wedding, you buy the fabric and work with the artisan to make a kaftan that is right for you. We appreciate these skills and the relationship between the person who commissions the work and the person who meets those expectations. It is natural.”
Amina Agueznay (born 1963) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“find a work that matches the sense of occasion in spirit…or a work that is personal to the recipient”
Victoria-Idongesit Udondian (born 1982) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Artistic work is essential for progress, and one must not rush or prioritize money over the work itself”
Abdoulaye Konaté (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Cecil was interested not only in the work I did in class, but the work I did at home.”
Willie Bester (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think NGO work is my least favourite kind of work because it is extractive. … Also the briefs, you know, are very make sure everyone is smiling. Make sure it’s positive. Make sure people are happy. Make sure, make sure, make sure. And yet when you go into these areas... sometimes it’s not a smiley situation.”
Sarah Waiswa (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I do not like to talk about my weaknesses as that might work against me (laughing) but I do work on them regularly at training.”
Mandla Masango (born 1989) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Keeping in touch with your favourite - Mandla Masango, February 2010, Kaizer Chiefs FB Magazine, by Sports Reporter
“My experience and hard work at Pirates with Okpara and Krol will stand me in good stead during the Bafana training camp. I am determined to work hard and am determined not only to make the cut, but to fight hard for the number one jersey.”
Moeneeb Josephs (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'm very open-minded. I would love to work with Rihanna. I know it may seem crazy right now but nothing is impossible in this world. There are many talented women I would love to work with not only here in the United States but in Brazil, in Europe so like I said, I’m very open-minded.”
Amara La Negra (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Truth, relate-ability, and just being able to laugh and chuckle [are important elements of my work]. I’m not the funniest; I’m not the most talented. But I can tell you one thing – I know how to put the two together with hard work.”
“My work is never planned, one piece informs the next. For this reason I am using work which I have created as proposed pieces”
Adriaan Diedericks (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Her work is diverse but personal. I wouldn’t want to call her a humanist photographer, but she uses researched human condition as the basis for her work and creates interventions in spaces that have been traumatised.”
Azu Nwagbogu (born 1975) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When we were involved in the nonviolent movement of the 1960s, we did not know if nonviolence would work. ... Fortunately we discovered nonviolence does work.”
Diane Nash (born 1938) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I didn’t want anyone to work with me because of a name; I wanted them to work with me because they understood the value I bring.”
“I find it fulfilling to work with good writers and help them get their work out.”
Robert Berold (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Creatives will continue to produce great work, but having a supportive framework would amplify our potential and make our work more impactful.”
Anny Robert (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If my work can arouse your thinking about certain issues, that is where I want to go. Trying to be provocative, rather than narrative about subjects. I feel restless and doubtful, and you might discover these emotions in my work. So, I want you to feel doubtful too, because then the things around us become more interesting.”
George William Kyeyune (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Healing work is hard. And putting in place resources to be able to hold people who are doing this work that we know induces trauma, is traumatic in very different ways with different people. It’s something that I feel we still haven’t been able to do very well”
Sibongile Ndashe wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Anti-corruption has a moral side and beyond the specific work that we are launching every year, there is a huge area that we have to do with people on that moral issue. It’s a key thing to change. I keep trying and trying to find the new recipes for it to work. I am looking for inspiration.”
Ketakandriana Rafitoson first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Discussion with Ketakandriana Rafitoson, Transparency International Initiative Madagascar 14 February 2023
“I would like to hope so (to emulate Mtawarira) ... but we will see and work hard, and if the path is written like that, then it will work out like that,”
Gerhard Steenekamp (born 1997) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To have the purpose behind my work recognised in a way that champions women and girls is big. The work I’ve done for the past two years I did with no expectations but mostly with the passion for the people”
Shudufhadzo Musida (born 1996) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’m not the biggest lock in the country, so it’s all about work rate for me. I’ve struggled to gain some weight so it’s important for me to keep building on my work rate, and at the end of the day that will make me a better player.”
Ruan Nortjé (born 1998) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“At a younger age, I really did work hard at power-hitting, did a lot [of work] with Graham Ford [at Dolphins]. Lance Klusener came in and worked with a lot of us youngsters at that stage. It was really nice to have such an experienced player - someone that's done it at the highest level - to come and give us his knowledge”
David Miller (cricketer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It’s kept me humble, Just being from Lewiston and my whole entire life, moving from apartment to apartment and never really having much to being taken in by Russ and them helping me out. I’ve seen a lot in how communities work and families work.”
Isaiah Harris (runner) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think for young athletes, girls and boys, sports can teach you a lot of things about life. Dedication, hard work, to go after your goals – those are all things that aren’t just useful in sports, but in school, at work and in your personal life.”
Nafissatou Thiam (born 1994) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source