7 Inspiring Quotes From Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn left us quotes that show us she was much more than just a pretty face.
In them we see a philosophy of life based on simplicity, the value of self-esteem, the strength of women and above all, a constant concern for human beings, especially the weakest ones among us. We can’t forget the great humanitarian work she filled the last years of her life with.
To this day, no one can deny that Audrey Hepburn is one of the most dazzling icons in the history of cinema. Her name is still a benchmark in the world of art and fashion. People still imitate her style. And her films are, in the eyes of many, wonderful tributes to a golden age full of dreams.
“Anyone who does not believe in miracles is not realistic”
-Audrey Hepburn-
Deep Adversity
We remember her in “Sabrina“, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s“, “My Fair Lady” and in “Two for the Road“. However, not everyone knows that before her brilliant film career, Audrey Hepburn went through very tough times.
In the book “Audrey Hepburn, An Intimate Portrait” by Diana Maychick, she recounts her years in the Netherlands during the German occupation. It’s a testimony that helps us understand a little more about Hepburn’s personality.
Between the war years of 1939 and 1945, she and her family went through terrible hunger. Her uncles and two half-brothers were deported to concentration camps and witnessed multiple executions in the streets.
Her health was severely affected at that time, and she suffered severe malnutrition and acute anemia, in addition to respiratory problems that left a permanent mark on her body.
When the Allies and the United Nations entered the Netherlands, this meant not only her salvation but also her life changing forever. It would shape her attitude, humility, and constant interest in helping the needy.
Here are some of the most inspiring quotes from Audrey Hepburn. We’ll also get a peek into her personality…
7 quotes from Audrey Hepburn
1. “Only simple people know what love is. Complicated people try so hard to make an impression that they soon run out of patience”.
One of the virtues that best characterized this actress was her simplicity. Beyond the glamorous world that surrounded her, her face, attitude, and messages contained a contagious humility. This was made her, her.
Simple people are ultimately the most sensible. They don’t have pride or envy and they know how to get rid of unnecessary things and prioritize the most important things: love, respect, and thinking of others.
2. “My life is not based on formulas or theories, but on common sense”.
What do we mean by common sense these days? It’s a term we tend to use lightly, without going into what it really means. Common sense is nothing more than a set of knowledge and beliefs with clear common denominators: to be prudent, balanced and logical people.
It also refers to the inner knowledge we develop through experience that tells us what to do in each situation.
Helping others
3. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one to help yourself and another to help others”.
This is another of the Audrey Hepburn’s best-known quotes. One fact that emerges from her biographies is that, despite being always very involved in humanitarian work and helping others, she never neglected her own personal growth.
If her childhood and adolescence years weren’t easy due to war and deprivation, nor was surviving the mayhem of the film world. She knew clearly that she needed a point of reference: herself. From thereon she always tried to keep her feet on the ground and her hand on her heart.
4. “I was born with an enormous need for affection and an awful need to give it”.
Even the strongest people fell, and Audrey Hepburn suffered depression on more than one occasion. This thorn in the flesh was always nearby — a dark cloud full of memories, needs, and contradictions.
The need to be loved, and to offer her heart and affection to others, led to many a disappointment. However, many of these voids healed as she grew older and wiser, especially when she devoted herself to humanitarian work.
Emotional beauty
5. “To have beautiful eyes, always look out for others. To have beautiful lips, only say words of kindness. And to keep balanced, always walk with the certainty that you are never alone”.
In Audrey Hepburn’s words, we see one important concept: physical beauty lacks value without the emotional and psychological attributes that define truly beautiful people. Those who know how to practice kindness and respect others, as well as take care of themselves
6.“You can get to know more about a person by what he says of others than by what others say about him”.
This is another of Audrey Hepburn’s quotes that will never be forgotten. Wherever we go, we will always find people who speak without knowledge and just criticize until they’re out of breath. Be very wary of them.
Solitude
7. “I have to be alone very often. I am happy if I stay from Saturday to Monday alone in my apartment. This is how I recover“.
Occasional loneliness, a type of solitude that one can choose, control, and manage, can be healthy and it allows us to recover from the problems and pressures of life. Audrey Hepburn knew this too.
Although being close to her loved ones was always essential for her, she also understood the importance of having her own space, place where she could recharge her batteries.
To conclude, we’re sure many of you can identify with these quotes from Audrey Hepburn. There’s no doubt the light that she left in the world of cinema went beyond the big screen and inspired many generations.
She was a kind woman, loved good humor, and also the simple things that give meaning to our lives. She was a woman who also wanted to leave her mark at UNICEF and she undoubtedly did so.
