Michael Palin Quotes

Michael Edward Palin is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter. He was a member of the comedy group Monty Python and later made a number of travel documentaries.

Palin wrote most of his comedic material with fellow Python member Terry Jones. Before Monty Python, they had worked on other shows such as the Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report, and Do Not Adjust Your Set. Palin appeared in some of the most famous Python sketches, including "Argument Clinic", "Dead Parrot sketch", "The Lumberjack Song", "The Spanish Inquisition", "Bicycle Repair Man" and "The Fish-Slapping Dance".

Palin continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns. He has also appeared in several films directed by fellow Python Terry Gilliam and made notable appearances in other films such as A Fish Called Wanda , for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedians' Comedian, he was voted the 30th favourite by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

After Python, he began a new career as a travel writer and travel documentarian. His journeys have taken him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara Desert, the Himalayas, Eastern Europe and Brazil. In 2000 Palin was honoured as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to television. From 2009 to 2012 Palin was the president of the Royal Geographical Society. On 12 May 2013, Palin was made a BAFTA fellow, the highest honour that is conferred by the organisation.

✵ 5. May 1943
Michael Palin photo

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Michael Palin
Michael Palin: 16   quotes 0   likes

Famous Michael Palin Quotes

“Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.”

"Letter from London" (18 September 2003) http://palinstravels.co.uk/static-51?topic=1752&forum=12
Context: Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won’t be made safer by creating barriers between people. Cries of “They’re evil, let’s get ‘em” or “The infidels must die” sound frightening, but they’re desperately empty of argument and understanding. They’re the rallying cries of prejudice, the call to arms of those who find it easier to hate than admit they might be not be right about everything.
Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.

“I am very cautious of people who are absolutely right, especially when they are vehemently so.”

Source: Diaries 1969-1979: The Python Years

Michael Palin Quotes

“Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won’t be made safer by creating barriers between people.”

"Letter from London" (18 September 2003) http://palinstravels.co.uk/static-51?topic=1752&forum=12
Context: Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won’t be made safer by creating barriers between people. Cries of “They’re evil, let’s get ‘em” or “The infidels must die” sound frightening, but they’re desperately empty of argument and understanding. They’re the rallying cries of prejudice, the call to arms of those who find it easier to hate than admit they might be not be right about everything.
Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.

“They’re the rallying cries of prejudice, the call to arms of those who find it easier to hate than admit they might be not be right about everything.”

"Letter from London" (18 September 2003) http://palinstravels.co.uk/static-51?topic=1752&forum=12
Context: Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won’t be made safer by creating barriers between people. Cries of “They’re evil, let’s get ‘em” or “The infidels must die” sound frightening, but they’re desperately empty of argument and understanding. They’re the rallying cries of prejudice, the call to arms of those who find it easier to hate than admit they might be not be right about everything.
Armageddon is not around the corner. This is only what the people of violence want us to believe. The complexity and diversity of the world is the hope for the future.

“There are many ways of seeing the world.”

Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days (1989)
Context: There are many ways of seeing the world. You can hang upside down from a meteor, volunteer to be the fourth stage of a three-stage rocket, or simply get in a balloon and keep going. But if it's sheer, unadulterated discomfort you're looking for, just stay on land.

“It's not a model if it's full-size. It's a ice-breaker!”

"Tomkinson's Schooldays"
Ripping Yarns (1976 - 1979)

“Tomkinson: What are these?
Mother: Shoe trees, dear…”

"Tomkinson's Schooldays"
Ripping Yarns (1976 - 1979)

“Nuns with banners!”

This was a comment made about picketing of the film Monty Python's Life of Brian http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/09_september/29/holyflying.shtml but there is no reason to attribute it to Michael Palin.
Misattributed

“I've got a false lip.”

"Murder on Moorstones Manor"
Ripping Yarns (1976 - 1979)

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