Acting is illusion, as much illusion as magic is, and not so much a matter of being real.

— Laurence Olivier

Have a very good reason for everything you do.

— Laurence Olivier

I don't know what is better than the work that is given to the actor - to teach the human heart the knowledge of itself.

— Laurence Olivier

I know it was wonderful but I don't know how I did it.

— Laurence Olivier

Nobody is going to pretend that I am younger than I am. Apart from anything else, it is in the papers all the damn time - every time I have a birthday.

— Laurence Olivier

[the only acting advice he would give] What is acting but lying, and what is good lying but convincing lying?

— Laurence Olivier