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.

Being a star has made it possible for me to get insulted in places where the average Negro could never hope to go and get insulted.

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

We all have a contract with the public—in us they see themselves, or what they would like to be.

Fame is but the empty noise of madmen.

How sweet it is to have people point and say, “There he is.”

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

And what will history say of me a thousand years hence?

What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.

Famous, adj. Conspicuously miserable.

I won’t be happy till I’m as famous as God.

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

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