James Agate quotes

James Agate was an English diarist and theatre critic renowned for his witty reviews and sharp observations. His "Ego" series of diaries provides fascinating insights into London’s literary and theatrical world. He gained a reputation for his lively style and keen sense of humor. Here are 12 of his quotes:

The producer. This is a person engaged by the management to conceal the fact that the players cannot act.

James Agate

The worst of failure in this kind is that it spoils the market for more competent performers.

James Agate

Perhaps, after all, there is something in the theory that only the ultra-busy can find time for everything.

James Agate

The maddest phenomenon in this wholly mad world – that the filming or wirelessing of an event, whether it is the Grand National or an attack in force on the Maginot Line, is held to be of more importance than the event itself.

James Agate

I don't know very much but what I do know I know better than anybody, and I don't want to argue about it...My mind is not a bed to be made and re-made.

James Agate

A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it; an amateur is one who can't when he does feel like it.

James Agate

Your Englishman, confronted by something abnormal will always pretend that it isn't there. If he can't pretend that, he will look through the object, or round it, or above it or below it, or in any direction except into it. If, however, you force him to look into it, he will at once pretend that he sees the object not for what it is but for something that he would like it to be.

James Agate

New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.

James Agate

My mind is not a bed to be made and re-made.

James Agate

Don't pity me now, don't pity me never; I'm going to do nothing for ever and ever.

James Agate