Katharine Hepburn Quotes

As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.

Kindness is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon another. If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a thank you. True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return.

If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.

You can’t just be talented: You have to be terribly smart and energetic and ruthless. You also have to become necessary to people, by working hard and well and bringing more than your bones and your skin to the project. Don’t just show up. Transform the work, yourself, and everybody around you. Be needed. Be interesting. Be something no one else can be–and consistently.

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything.

The thing about life is that you must survive. Life is going to be difficult, and dreadful things will happen. What you do is move along, get on with it, and be tough. Not in the sense of being mean to others, but being tough with yourself and making a deadly effort not to be defeated.

If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.

I have no romantic feelings about age. Either you are interesting at any age or you are not. There is nothing particularly interesting about being old – or being young, for that matter.

If you need a helping hand, you can find one at the end of your arm.

You can’t change the music of your soul.

Don’t give in! Make your own trail. Don’t moan. Don’t complain. Think positively.

You are the only person you can actually change

Never complain. Never explain.

I have not lived as a woman. I have lived as a man. I’ve just done what I damn well wanted to, and I’ve made enough money to support myself, and ain’t afraid of being alone

Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.

You politicians remain professional because the voters remain amateur.

It’s not what you start in life, it’s what you finish.

What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate.

Life can be wildly tragic at times, and I’ve had my share. But whatever happens to you, you have to keep a slightly comic attitude. In the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh.

I believe how I act today will affect how I am tomorrow.

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.

Let’s just say that where a change was required, I adjusted. In every relationship that exists, people have to seek a way to survive. If you really care about the person, you do what’s necessary, or that’s the end. For the first time, I found that I really could change, and the qualities I most admired in myself I gave up. I stopped being loud and bossy… Oh, all right. I was still loud and bossy, but only behind his back.

Don’t moan, don’t whine, don’t blame. Just get on with it.

If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior.

The woman’s position in the world today is so much harder than a man’s that it makes me choke every time I hear a man complain about anything.