Holly

“I’m not really a competitive person, at least I pretend to myself I’m not. I’ve never trusted people who are overly competitive. I don’t get it. I get the drive and commitment needed to see something through, a work ethic, what I never got were those people who are desperate to win at any cost. It’s just not in me. I think also when it comes to something as subjective as comedy or literature it’s difficult to accurately pick a winner. I feel if you’re willing to put your heart and your all into something as emotional as art in all its facets and forms then you’re a winner from the get-go.”
― Nick Frost, Truths, Half Truths and Little White Lies: The heartbreaking and hilarious memoir from the star of Shaun of the Dead and Spaced

“Gods, you must have been a deadly swordsman when you were younger.”
“Come again?”
“It's the only possible explanation for how you made it to a ripe old age. With a mouth such as yours, surely people have been trying to kill you since you were old enough to duel. And yet you're still here.”
“I was fair with a blade. I was better with my brain.”
“Which is why I am here, you cantankerous pustule. I don't expect you to hunt down the murderer yourself. Just look at what evidence has been gathered. See if you can pick out anything the watch might have missed. Then, when you're finished, apologize to my horse.”
― Michael McClung, The Last God

“It’s the way of all ancient stories. The young man must go “down” in order to find the right path for going “up.” Call it the “time of ashes.” In some African tribes the young boys must cover their faces with ashes before their initiation into manhood. In certain Nordic cultures the young boys used to sit down in the ashes by the fire in the center of the lodge house until they were ready to take on their adult role. And everybody knows about Cinderella, the girl who had to tend to the cinders and do all the other lowly chores until her true identity became known.”
― Sidney Poitier, The Measure of a Man

“Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt the work ourselves. “I saw the Sex Pistols,” said New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. “They were terrible. . . . I wanted to get up and be terrible with them.” Raw enthusiasm is contagious.”
― Austin Kleon, Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered