Colin Higgins > Quotes

“No man can see himself unless he borrows the eyes of a friend”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“You see, Harold, I feel that much of the world's sorrow comes from people who are *this*,
[she points to a daisy]
Maude: yet allow themselves be treated as *that*.
[she gestures to a field of daisies]
”
― Colin Higgins

“Zoos are full, prisons are overflowing. Ah, my. How the world still dearly loves a cage.”
― Colin Higgins

“Dreyfus once wrote from Devil's Island that he would see the most glorious birds. Many years later in Brittany he realized they had only been seagulls... For me they will always be glorious birds.”
― Colin Higgins

“I heard a story once in the Orient about two architects who went to see the Buddha. They had run out of money on their projects and hoped the Buddha could do something about it. 'Well, I'll do what I can,' said the Buddha, and he went off to see their work. The first architect was building a bridge, and the Buddha was very impressed. 'That's a very good bridge,' he said, and he began to pray. Suddenly a great white bull appeared, carrying on its back enough gold to finish construction. 'Take it,' said the Buddha, 'and build even more bridges.' And so the first architect went away very happy. The second architect was building a wall, and when the Buddha saw it he was equally impressed. 'That's a very good wall,' he said solemnly, and began to pray. Suddenly the sacred bull appeared, walked over to the second architect, and sat on him.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“Harold: This is real nice. Makes me want to do somersaults.
Maude: Well, why don't you?
Harold: I'd feel stupid.
Maude: Harold, everyone has the right to make an ass out of themselves.
You just can't let the world judge you too much.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“How the world so dearly loves a cage.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“I remember it was frowned upon. Considered frivolous, or dangerous, or unbecoming—one of those terms that the moribund use to keep the adventurous in tow.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they’re not dead, really. They’re just backing away from life. They’re players, but they think life is a practice game and they’ll save themselves for later. So they sit on the bench, and the only championship they’ll ever see goes on before them. The clock ticks away the quarters. At any moment they can join in.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“And the main thing in life, my dear Harold, is not to be afraid to be human.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“No man can see himself unless he borrows the eyes of a friend.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“The zoos are full and the prisons overflowing. My, my. How the world so dearly loves a cage.” She”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“Vice? Virtue? It’s best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much life. Aim above morality. As Confucius says, ‘Don’t simply be good. Make good things happen.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“well', he said. 'most people aren't like you. They're locked up in themselves. They live in their castles - all alone. They're like me.'
'Well, everyone lives in his own castle', said Maude. 'But that's no reason not to lower the drawbridge and go out on visits.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“No answer.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“Still, I believe that much of the world’s sorrow comes from people who know they are this”—she held the daisy in her hand—“yet let themselves be treated as that”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude

“It’s best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much life. Aim above morality.”
― Colin Higgins, Harold and Maude