My father was a certain kind of man - I saw how he treated my mother and his family and how he treated strangers. And I vowed I would never make a film that would not reflect properly on my father's name.
Sidney PoitierRead
To be compared to Jackie Robinson is an enormous compliment, but I don't think it's necessarily deserved.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being compared to someone great is an honor, but one may feel unworthy of such praise.
In this quote, Sidney Poitier reflects on the significance of being compared to Jackie Robinson, a legendary figure in sports and civil rights. He acknowledges the compliment inherent in the comparison but simultaneously expresses humility by suggesting that he does not feel deserving of such high regard, illustrating the often complex nature of recognition and self-assessment in the context of success.
Themes
ComparisonHumilitySuccessHonorRespect
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech reflecting on achievements, one could use this quote to emphasize the value of humility.
More from Sidney Poitier
All quotes βMy father was the quintessential husband and dad.
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I wanted to explore the values that are at work, underpinning my life.
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We suffer pain, we hang tight to hope, we nurture expectations, we are plagued occasionally by fears, we are haunted by defeats and unrealized hopes . . . The hoplessness of which I speak is not limited.
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We're all imperfect, and life is simply a perpetual, unending struggle against those imperfections.
Sidney PoitierRead
I was the only Black person on the set. It was unusual for me to be in a circumstance in which every move I made was tantamount to representation of 18 million people.
Sidney PoitierRead
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