Charlton Heston quotes - page 2

Charlton Heston was an American actor renowned for his roles in epic films such as "Ben-Hur" and "The Ten Commandments." His commanding screen presence and powerful performances made him a Hollywood icon. He also served as president of the National Rifle Association and became a prominent political activist. Here are 46 of his quotes:

I remember a decade ago at my first annual meeting in St. Louis. After my banquet remarks to a packed house, they presented me with a very special gift. It was a splendid hand-crafted musket.
I admit I was overcome by the power of its simple symbolism. I looked at that musket and I thought of all of the lives given for that freedom. I thought of all of the lives saved with that freedom. It dawned on me that the doorway to all freedoms is framed by muskets.
So I lifted that musket over my head for all to see. And as flashbulbs popped around the room, my heart and a few tears swelled up, and I uttered five unscripted words. When I did, that room exploded in sustained applause and hoots and shouts that seemed to last forever. ... So as we set out this year to defeat the divisive forces that would take freedom away, I want to say those words again for everyone within the sound of my voice to hear and to heed, and especially for you, Mr. Gore: From my cold dead hands! (Charlton Heston)

I have lived my whole life on the stage and screen before you. I found purpose and meaning in your response. For an actor that is no greater loss than the loss of his audience. I can part the Red Sea, but I can't part with you, which is why I won't exclude you from this stage in my life. For now, I'm not changing anything. I will insist on work when I can; the doctors will insist on rest when I must. If you see a little less spring in my step, if your name fails to leap to my lips, you will know why. And if I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway.

Charlton Heston

I used to think if it wasn't possible to be a family man and a totally dedicated artist.

Charlton Heston

You could say that the paparazzi and the tabloids are sort of the "assault weapons" of the First Amendment. They're ugly, a lot of people don't like them, but they're protected by the First Amendment - just as "assault weapons" are protected by the Second Amendment.

Charlton Heston

Shakespeare is the outstanding example of how that can be done. In all of Shakespeare's plays, no matter what tragic events occur, no matter what rises and falls, we return to stability in the end.

Charlton Heston

Dirty Harry, for example. Clint Eastwood was not a rogue cop. He was a maverick cop, but he was a good guy.

Charlton Heston

To the world, you are America.

Charlton Heston

You could think of extraordinary examples to the contrary: The Grapes of Wrath... and even into the 70s.

Charlton Heston

Undeniably the American art form, too. And yet more and more, we see films made that diminish the American experience and example. And sometimes trash it completely.

Charlton Heston

The big studio era is from the coming of sound until 1950, until I came in ... I came in at a crux in film, which was the end of the studio era and the rise of filmmaking.

Charlton Heston

I used to think if it wasn't possible to be a family man and a totally dedicated artist, I'd rather be the former. I'm an idealist and a romantic. (Charlton Heston)

It's been quite a ride. I loved every minute of it.

Charlton Heston

You could say that the paparazzi and the tabloids are sort of the "assault weapons" of the First Amendment.

Charlton Heston

Let me make a short, opening, blanket comment. There are no "good guns."

Charlton Heston

If you see a little less spring in my step, if your name fails to leap to my lips, you will know why. And if I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway.

Charlton Heston

Once we talk to God, once we get his commission to us for our lives we cannot be again content. We are happier. We are busier. But we are not content because then we have a mission - a commission, rather.

Charlton Heston

I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man.

Charlton Heston

And their pals vote for their stuff when they're not on the panel, and it just keeps going that way. And they tend to be very fringe artists, so anything before the 20th century is not worth considering. This is out of date.

Charlton Heston

Society mends its wounds. And that's invariably true in all the tragedies, in the comedies as well. And certainly in the histories.

Charlton Heston

Let me make a short, opening, blanket comment. There are no "good guns". There are no "bad guns". Any gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a decent person is no threat to anybody - except bad people.

Charlton Heston

To me Moses is all men grown to gigantic proportions.
He was a man of immense ability, immense emotions, immense humanness and immense dedication. There is something of Moses in each of us - the more there is, the better we are.
It is interesting to note that once Moses climbs Mt. Sinai and talks to God there is never contentment for him again. That is the way it is with us. Once we talk to God, once we get his commission to us for our lives we cannot be again content. We are happier. We are busier. But we are not content because then we have a mission - a commission, rather. (Charlton Heston)

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Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston - Image

Occupation: American Actor
Born: October 4, 1923
Died: April 5, 2008
Quotes count: 46

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