Noël Coward quotes

Noël Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, celebrated for his wit and flamboyant style. His works include classic plays, songs, and musicals that have left a lasting impression on British theatre and popular culture. He became an icon of sophistication and continues to influence artists around the world. Here are 75 of his quotes:

It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.

Noël Coward

I have a memory like an elephant. In fact, elephants often consult me.

Noël Coward

Work is much more fun than fun.

Noël Coward

People are wrong when they say opera is not what it used to be. It is what it used to be. That is what's wrong with it.

Noël Coward

I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

Noël Coward

Extraordinary how potent cheap music is.

Noël Coward

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun The Japanese dont care to, the Chinese wouldnt dare to Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve to one, But Englishmen detest a siesta.

Noël Coward

If you must have motivation, think of your paycheck on Friday.

Noël Coward

Television is for appearing on, not looking at.

Noël Coward

Certain women should be struck regularly, like gongs.

Noël Coward

Work hard, do the best you can, don't ever lose faith in yourself and take no notice of what other people say about you.

Noël Coward

If by any chance a playwright wishes to express a political opinion or a moral opinion or a philosophy, he must be a good enough craftsman to do it with so much spice of entertainment in it that the public get the message without being aware of it.

Noël Coward

Hollywood is a place where some people lie on the beach and look up at the stars, whereas other people lie on the stars and look down at the beach.

Noël Coward

Your motivation is your pay packet on Friday. Now get on with it.

Noël Coward

Thousands of people have talent. I might as well congratulate you for having eyes in your head. The one and only thing that counts is Do you staying power.

Noël Coward

What I adore is supreme professionalism. I'm bored by writers who can write only when it's raining.

Noël Coward

I don't believe in astrology. The only stars I can blame for my failures are those that walk about the stage.

Noël Coward

It's such a surprise For Eastern eyes To see, That though the English are effete, They're quite impervious to heat.

Noël Coward

The higher the building the lower the morals.

Noël Coward

In a jungle town Where the sun beats down To the rage of man and beast, The English garb Of the English sahib Merely gets a bit more creased. In Bangkok At twelve'o'clock They foam at the mouth and run, But mad dogs and Englishmen Go out in the midday sun.

Noël Coward

Wrongly attributed to Noel Coward is a quotation about the Queen of Tonga. He is alleged to have been sitting under cover from the heavy rain with Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent at the Coronation in London in 1953. Opposite them was the vast Queen Salote of Tonga. Princess Marina is supposed to have asked "Noel, who is that little man sheltering under Queen Salote's umbrella?" Coward is said to have peered through the rain and said "Oh, her lunch, my dear." In a later interview with Walter Harris, Coward revealed it had been said by someone at White's Club and was immediately attributed to Coward. "It was very flattering of course, except that I had intended to visit Tonga the following winter, and after that of course it was quite impossible."

Noël Coward

In Hong Kong They strike a gong And fire off a noonday gun To reprimand Each inmate Who's in late.

Noël Coward