River Phoenix Quotes

#1. Vegetarianism is a link to perfection and peace.

River Phoenix

#2. Life is multi-layered and there's no way I could do my life justice in one pat answer.

River Phoenix

#3. Acting is like a Halloween mask that you put on.

River Phoenix

#4. I've been wanting to go into music ever since I can remember. I mean even before I became an actor. I just thought it would be a tough field to break into, so I became an actor instead.

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#5. I did my best work in The Mosquito Coast. I know it wasn't such a big hit, but for me it was more meaningful than anything else I'd ever done.

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#6. In simplicity there is truth.

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#7. Rich kids gave us their old clothes. They were the best clothes we ever had. We were these very pure, naive, poor children. The rich kids called us a lot of names but it never bothered us because we didn't know what the words meant.

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#8. When I was old enough to realize all meat was killed, I saw it as an irrational way of using our power, to take a weaker thing and mutilate it. It was like the way bullies would take control of younger kids in the schoolyard.

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#9. Animals can't really voice their opinion. We feel as though we can be on of the spokespeople on their behalf.

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#10. I wouldn't eat a hamburger for 40,000 dollars.

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#11. I've learned that if you can't get it all together to accomplish this thing called peace, you do at least your part in your life, because that's where you can truly make an immediate difference.

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#12. I sometimes lie, especially about personal things, because what does it matter? I am a kind of minute commodity, my name is no longer my own.

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#13. I'm a minor, stupid talent compared to my brother (Joaquin).

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#14. I would never, never do anything unless I believed in it.

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#15. Animals are not our playthings. We are on this earth to protect them. It's our duty.

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#16. We are taught to consume. And that's what we do. But if we realized that there really is no reason to consume, that it's just a mind set, that it's just an addiction, then we wouldn't be out there stepping on people's hands climbing the corporate ladder of success.

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#17. I have a lot of chameleon qualities, I get very absorbed in my surroundings.

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#18. It still strikes me as strange that anyone could have any moral objection to someone else's sexuality. It's like telling someone else how to clean their house.

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#19. I've been around the movie business, so I can play it cool and all that, but when people are different they have that off thing about them. Their whole presence is just a little innocent, I think.

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#20. Music is my main goal, but I'm not going to rush a record out. There are so many actors who have come out with albums these days. I don't want to do it because it's the thing to do. I want to wait until the time is right.

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#21. Although I can't stop all cruelty to living creatures on the planet, I can be kinder to every living creature in my life.

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#22. I project a definite innocence. A lot of that is just the way I grew up.

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#23. I don't think Im a very good actor. Everything is very tentative and at a certain point you click in and just feel the spirit move you. I can be possessed really well.

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#24. When I was younger, I was worried about how others viewed me and if I was good enough. I realize now that you can't mold an image or try to be something that you are not. As far as being an actor is concerned, your work really speaks for itself.

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#25. Commercials were too phony for me. I just didn't like selling products I didn't believe in.

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#26. When I was in first grade, everyone made fun of my name, of course. I think it's kind of a big name to hold up when you're nine years old. It seemed goofy. I used to tell people I wanted to change the world and they used to think, 'This kid's really weird'.

River Phoenix

#27. I like girls who are natural because I am natural in everything I do. If I meet a girl who is snobby and wants special treatment, she's not going to get it from me because she hasn't earned it. But I've been basically lucky because I've mostly met nice girls-and that's what attracts me.

River Phoenix

#28. I can't on my own change the regime in South Africa or teach the Palestinians to learn to live with the Israelies, but I can start with me.

River Phoenix

#29. Music is a hobby, because I'm not making any money out of it, but I put just as much conviction into that as I do into my acting.

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#30. Sometimes I wish I wasn't as conscious as I am. It would be so much easier.

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#31. I'm really normal. I play football, go to the beach, drive. We have dogs. I can imagine people calling me a character, but I'm Joe Straight.

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#32. We were constantly moving to different countries and adjusting to new things. It was such a free feeling. I'm glad I didn't have a traditional upbringing.

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#33. Addiction is not just for bad people or scumbags
it's a universal disease.

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#34. Everything is ironic to me. There are moments I find hysterical, but I'm probably the only one who would find that, except for a few people.

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#35. I really like acting because you can create a character. You can make someone who has never existed before. That's neat.

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#36. Music is a whole oasis in my head. The creation process is so personal and fulfilling.

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#37. What I have got from my childhood aren't toys, but memories. And happy memories are better than any toy.

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#38. I'd like to play every type of character, but only once. I like to expierence things.

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#39. I don't want to die in a car accident. When I die it'll be a glorious day. It'll probably be a waterfall.

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#40. People wonder if I'll always be a part of this family and the answer is yes. My family has a lot of good energy going in one direction and because of it, we get a lot of things done. That's why I'll always spend a lot of time at Camp Phoenix.

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#41. Run to the rescue with love/and peace will follow

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#42. It's a great feeling to think that I can be a friend to so many people through my movies.

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#43. I try to lie as much as I can when I'm interviewed. It's reverse psychology. I figure if you lie, they'll print the truth.

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#44. I would rather quit while I was ahead. There's no need in overstaying your welcome.

River Phoenix