I was born lucky, and I have lived lucky. What I had was used. What I still have is being used. Lucky.

Vitality! That's the pursuit of life, isn't it?

As for me, prizes are nothing. My prize is my work.

Kindness is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon another. If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a thank you. True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return.

You can’t change the music of your soul.

I would have been a terrible mother because I'm basically a very selfish human being. Not that that has stopped most people going off and having children.

We were brought up in the school that teaches: You do what the script tells you. Deliver the goods without comment. Live it-do it-or shut up. After all, the writer is what's important. If the script is good and you don't get in its way, it will come off okay. I never discussed a script with Spence [Spencer Tracy]; we just did it. The same with Hank [Henry Fonda] in On Golden Pond. Naturally and unconsciously we joined into what I call a musical necessity-the chemistry that brings out the essence of the characters and the work.