Samuel Goldwyn, born Szmuel Gelbfisz on August 27, 1879, in Warsaw, Poland, was a legendary Hollywood producer who immigrated to the United States and became a key figure in the film industry. He co-founded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and produced iconic films like “The Best Years of Our Lives,” which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Goldwyn’s career spanned over five decades, during which he amassed a fortune and earned the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for his contributions to cinema. Known for his wit and malapropisms, his quotes often reflect a no-nonsense philosophy on life, success, and human nature. These insights have been drawn from interviews, books, and biographical sources. Below is a curated list of 15 Samuel Goldwyn quotes about life, highlighting his candid and humorous worldview.
15 Samuel Goldwyn Quotes
1. “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1950)
2. “I don’t want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their jobs.” (Book, “Samuel Goldwyn: A Biography,” 1976)
3. “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.” (Interview, Variety, 1939)
4. “I’m willing to admit that I may not always be right, but I am never wrong.” (Autobiography excerpt, “Behind the Screen,” 1969)
5. “The only thing that matters is the team. If you have a good team, you’re going to have a successful picture.” (Interview, The Saturday Evening Post, 1958)
6. “Why should people go out and pay money to see bad films when they can stay at home and see bad television for nothing?” (Book, “Hollywood Anecdotes,” 1986)
7. “I’ve been around so long, I can remember when the air was clean and sex was dirty.” (Attributed interview, Los Angeles Times, 1965)
8. “A hospital is no place to be sick.” (Interview, Time Magazine, 1952)
9. “I can give you a definite perhaps.” (Book, “The Wit and Wisdom of Hollywood,” 1980)
10. “Gentlemen, include me out.” (Interview, The New Yorker, 1940)
11. “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.” (Attributed in biographical compilation, n.d.)
12. “I read part of it all the way through.” (Interview, The Hollywood Reporter, 1955)
13. “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a yacht, and that’s pretty close.” (Book, “Goldwynisms,” 1974)
14. “Life is a play. It’s not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.” (Attributed in film documentary, 1960)
15. “The best way to get along is never to forgive anyone and never yourself.” (Interview, Esquire Magazine, 1962)
These quotes paint a picture of Samuel Goldwyn as a man of sharp insight, humor, and realism, revealing his belief in hard work, honesty, and the quirks of human existence. They showcase his ability to distill life’s complexities into memorable wisdom, drawing from his experiences in business and creativity. What do these quotes say to you? Share your thoughts or a favorite in the comments below and let’s discuss how Goldwyn’s words resonate today.