“You are here for but an instant, and you mustn't take yourself too seriously”

“Take your work seriously, but don't take yourself seriously”

“And then there is the universal role of adult. When you play that role, you take yourself and life very seriously. Spontaneity, lightheartedness, and joy are not part of that role.”

“Instant gratification takes too long.”

“Three things no one has ever said about me:

You make it look so easy.

You are very mysterious.

You need to take yourself more seriously.”

“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves.”

“Once you begin to take yourself seriously as a leader or as a follower, as a modern or as a conservative, then you become a self-conscious, biting, and scratching little animal whose work is not of the slightest value or importance to anybody.”

“I laugh at myself.
I don't take myself completely seriously.
I think that's another quality that people have to hold on to… you have to laugh, especially at yourself.”

“Take my hands,” Alec said. “And take my strength too. Whatever of it you can use to— to keep yourself going.”

“Seriously? You won’t help me?”
“Help yourself get killed? No, I won’t.”