Fame is no sanctuary from the passing of youth. Suicide is much easier and more acceptable in Hollywood than growing old gracefully.

Avoid the talk of men. For talk is mischievous, light, and easily raised, but hard to bear and difficult to be rid of. Talk never wholly dies away when many people voice her: even talk is in some ways divine.

I’m afraid of losing my obscurity. Genuineness only thrives in the dark. Like celery.

If fame is only to come after death, I am in no hurry for it.

Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury—to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind.

Fame is but the empty noise of madmen.

What a heavy burden is a name that has become too famous.

When I do a show, the whole show revolves around me, and if I don’t show up, they can just forget it.

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

All people have the common desire to be elevated in honor, but all people have something still more elevated in themselves without knowing it.

Reality is always the foe of famous names.

I am sick and tired of publicity. I want no more of it. It puts me in a bad light. I just want to be forgotten.

Worldly fame is but a breath of wind that blows now this way, now that, and changes names as it changes in direction.