Saturday 2 January 2010

If nothing else...


Quentin Crisp, with Tilda Swinton, in his role as Elizabeth I in Orlando


What would you be like if there was nobody else in the world? Who would you be if the only opinion that mattered was yours? Because if you want to be truly happy you must be that person. You must search inside yourself for what is uniquely you. When you find it, polish it until it becomes your style. It's no good being a pig farmer for 30 years looking back and saying 'I was meant to be a ballet dancer', by that time pigs are your style. - Quentin Crisp


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Now playing: The Communards - You Are My World
via FoxyTunes

13 comments:

Mrs. Blandings said...

I wish I'd known you when I was 25; it's harder to shed these hoofs than I thought.

columnist said...

What a terrifically insightful comment!

Thombeau said...

Ooh, I'm sure it's no coincidence that you're listening to Jimmy Somerville while posting a picture from Orlando!

The casting of Crisp in that great film was yet another stroke of brilliance. England's biggest queen playing England's greatest queen. Brava!

Great post.

mamacita said...

Crisperanto? Oh, brave new world that has such people in it.

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Lord, that was well said. And thoughtful and provocative. It will be something I will mull over for some time.

nina myers said...

you always post exactly the right thing. i'm so very glad you're back.

home before dark said...

Brilliant! I wonder, however, if there are any ballet dancers who after being on their hoofs for 30 years (possible?) to declare, "I was meant to be a pig farmer!" I so agree with your sentiment that you should be who you really are and let the chips fall where they may. Anything else is just a bit of whoring to the altar of those who truly, honestly don't give a damn in exchange for little pieces of your soul.

Best of the new year to you.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

No truer words.

little augury said...

HOBAC-talk about 2 devastating beauties? I believe Mrs Blandings spoke of courage-it takes a lot of that,I guess it is never too late though to start a transformation-my constant vacillation has made me feel a farmer in a tutu.

Errant Aesthete said...

Stunningly astute!

An exquisite opening.

Beth Dunn said...

Love it! Great quote. xoxo

SC

Ashfield Hansen Design Inc. said...

Fantastic quote, and great film!
We could all probably learn a lot from Mr. Crisp!

David @ Ashfield Hansen Design

Jill said...

I'm probably going to look like Quentin when I'm 80!