Quotes

I thank God that I wasn't born perfect.

Live like you'll die tomorrow, work like you don't need the money, and dance like nobody's watching.

I'm still working on my life, just like it's out of town, and when I get it fixed, I'll bring it in.

Don't dance for the audience; dance for yourself.

I would never discriminate against someone's talent because they showed the poor taste to like me.

In today's world, everything seems like some sort of long audition.

It's showtime, folks!

Dance expresses joy better than anything else.

They may not know what I'm doing, but they know I'm doing something!

I like attractive people who aren't so terribly aware that they are attractive... people who aren't afraid to roll on the floor and make fools out of themselves.

If you think you can do better, then do better. Don't compete with anyone, just yourself. When you are in trouble or have a dilemma, ask yourself, "What's the important thing?". And when you wake up in the morning, ask yourself how you can be a better person, not just a better performer.

[on working with Valerie Perrine on Lenny (1974)] Quite simply, she is the best actress I have ever directed.

People have used the word "self-indulgent" about [All That Jazz (1979)] but critics are constantly saying that an artist should draw more from himself and less from others. This is what I've done. So why do I get this reaction? It frightens me.

[on the chances of an Oscar for All That Jazz (1979)] I'm such a long shot. I think anyone who bets on me should get a toaster, like they give out in banks, for having made the investment.

The time to sing is when your emotional level is too high to just speak anymore, and the time to dance is when your emotions are just too strong to only sing about how you feel.

I give my relationships two weeks now. Sometimes I bring it in ahead of deadline.