14 Brilliant Bill Murray Quotes You’ve Never Heard Before

Written By:

Written By:

14 brilliant bill murray quotes youve never heard before 1

Bill Murray Brilliant Quotes

In the long list of the greatest people in American history, some names loom larger than others: George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Ben Franklin. Abe Lincoln…

Bill Murray.

The Saturday Night Live veteran, and star of such classics as Stripes, Meatballs, Caddyshack and Ghostbusters, has had one of the longest and most distinguished careers in Hollywood. And he has managed to do what very few stars have been able to do: stay relevant, reinvent himself, and balance the weight of his tremendous fame and talent with humility and authenticity.

I mean, you just can’t help but love the guy!

In his later roles (Rushmore, Broken Flowers, St. Vincent, etc.) Murray’s charm and comedic wit is tempered with a deep, existential sadness… the tragic heart of the human condition. But he doesn’t just portray that essential sadness, and bring it to life – he ennobles it, and thereby ennobles us all.

Bill Murray is so much more than just an actor, or comedian. He is a cultural icon, a man of the people, and the very embodiment of awesome. He’s a living legend, with wisdom to impart.

And here is that wisdom, distilled.

14 brilliant Bill Murray quotes you’ve most likely never heard before…

1. “I live a little bit on the seat of my pants, I try to be alert and available. I try to be available for life to happen to me. We’re in this life, and if you’re not available, the sort of ordinary time goes past and you didn’t live it. But if you’re available, life gets huge. You’re really living it.” ~ from an interview with Charlie Rose

2. “It’s extremely powerful to say no. It’s really the most powerful thing to say.” ~ from an interview with the Washington Post

3. “I made a lot of mistakes and realized I had to let them go. Don’t think about your errors or your failures, otherwise, you’ll never do a thing.” ~ from an interview with The Guardian

4. “When my kids ask what I want for my birthday or Christmas or whatever, I use the same answer my father did: ‘Peace and quiet.’ That was never a satisfactory answer to me as a kid — I wanted an answer like “A pipe.” But now I see the wisdom of it: All I want is you at your best — you making this an easier home to live in, you thinking of others.” ~ from an interview with Esquire

5. “I’m much more of a whole person when I’m working. I’m more collected, I’m more connected, I’m more there… So my challenge is to try to live as well when I’m not working as when I’m working.” ~ from an interview with the Washington Post

6. “It’s hard to be an artist. It’s hard to be anything. It’s hard to be.” ~ from an interview with the Independent

7. “You gotta commit. You’ve gotta go out there and improvise and you’ve gotta be completely unafraid to die. You’ve got to be able to take a chance to die. And you have to die lots. You have to die all the time.” ~ from an interview with Esquire

Read 15 Greatest Speeches That Changed The Course Of History

8. “You have to do whatever you can to stay relaxed. There’s tension in your brain, in your system, in your emotions. So you have to spread the awareness around to your various parts, then they can connect and go to work. I try to keep it light. Keep it positive. I am basically all about having fun.” ~ from his interview with TimeOut London

9. “The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything: the better you are with your loved ones, the better you are with your enemies, the better you are at your job, the better you are with yourself.” ~ from the New York Times

10. When asked about his outrageous interactions with the public, he replied: “My hope, always, is that it’s going to wake me up. I’m only connected for seconds, minutes a day, sometimes. And suddenly, you go, ‘Holy cow, I’ve been asleep for two days. I’ve been doing things, but I’m just out.’ If I see someone who’s out cold on their feet, I’m going to try to wake that person up. It’s what I’d want someone to do for me. Wake me the hell up and come back to the planet.” ~ from Rolling Stone

11. When asked, “How does it feel to be Bill Murray?” he replied: “There’s a wonderful sense of well-being that begins to circulate, up and down your spine. And you feel something that makes you almost want to smile. So what’s it like to be me? Ask yourself, ‘What’s it like to be me?’ The only way we’ll ever know what it’s like to be you is if you work your best at being you as often as you can, and keep reminding yourself that’s where home is.” ~ from a Q & A in Toronto, CA

12. When asked whether he ever has bad days, he answered: “When I feel I’m stuck, I do something… not like I’m Mother Theresa, or anything, but there’s someone who’s forgotten about in your life, all the time. Someone who could use an ‘Attaboy,’ or a ‘How you doin’ out there?’ It’s that sort of a scene, remembering that we die alone. We’re born alone. We do need each other. It’s lonely to really effectively live your life, and anyone you can give help to, or get help from, that’s part of your obligation.” ~ from his New York Times interview

Read 32 Of The Most Powerful Quotes Of All Time

13. When asked about how the lessons he learned from Improv applied to life: “It pays off when you’re in an elevator and people are uncomfortable. You can just say, ‘That’s a beautiful scarf.’ It’s just thinking about making someone else feel comfortable. You don’t worry about yourself, because we’re vibrating together. If I can make yours just a little bit groovier, it’ll affect me. It comes back, somehow.” ~ from his New York Times interview

14. When asked about the meaning of life, he replied: “As I once said to one of my brothers, ‘This is your life, not a rehearsal.’ Somewhere there’s a score being kept, so you have an obligation to live life as well as you can, be as engaged as you can. The human condition means that we can zone out and forget what the hell we’re doing. So the secret is to have a sense of yourself, your real self, your unique self. And not just once in a while, or once a day, but all through the day, the week and life.” ~ from an interview with TimeOut London

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

7 Foods That Make You Happy And Chase Away The Blues

Best Foods That Make You Happy Instantly!

Dealing with stress, anxiety, or sadness? What if we told you that food could help lift your mood? Below are 7 foods that make you happy by triggering the release of feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine. 

It’s natural for curveballs and life stressors to get the best of you but a comforting dish or a nutrient-packed snack can help chase away the blues and bring a smile to your face. 

So without further ado, make the right food choices! Here are 7 best foods for happiness that can help improve your mood and leave you feeling more energized.

Read More Here: What Your Food Crav

Up Next

The Scandinavian Sleep Method: The Nordic Way To Peaceful Sleep and Relationships

Scandinavian Sleep Method Interesting Benefits Of It

Are you tired of the nightly battle over the covers? Do you and your partner constantly disturb each other trying to stay warm and cozy? The Scandinavian sleep method is a simple bedroom tweak that could save your relationship from the nightly tug-of-war.

Most couples often have minor disagreements when it comes to sharing a bed. Like one partner hogging the blanket, taking up too much space, or snoring can lead to frustration and create small conflicts.

If this sounds all too familiar, then it’s time to consider a simple yet revolutionary solution – the Scandinavian Sleep system. So let’s learn more about it!

Up Next

7 Things Unhappy People Do That You Should Avoid

Habits of Unhappy People (And How to Break Them)

We all know someone who just can’t seem to shake off that cloud of negativity. You know the type: always complaining, never satisfied, and just plain miserable. Maybe you’ve even caught yourself slipping into these same habits of unhappy people from time to time. It’s easy to fall into habits that slowly drain the joy out of life without even realizing it. But don’t worry—you’re not stuck there forever.

In this post, we’re going to talk about 7 habits that unhappy people often have, and more importantly, how to break free from them. Spoiler alert: it’s not as hard as you think!

7 Habits of Unhappy People

Dwelling on the Negative

Up Next

Mental Wellness: 10 Ways to Keep Your Mind Healthy in 2025

Mental Wellness Ways to Keep Your Mind Healthy in

Modern life can lead to burnout, stress, and a sense of overwhelm. Our jobs, love lives, families, and social life demand so much time and effort that taking care of our minds is not a luxury but a necessity. Here are 10 ways to keep your mind healthy in 2025.

Maintaining mental wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. There are simple yet impactful things you can do to keep your mind healthy, and help you cultivate a peaceful, positive life.

So, whether you’re looking to enhance your focus, or simply feel more at ease with whatever challenges life throws at you, these 10 practical tips on how to keep your mind healthy will guide you towards better mental health in the year ahead.

Read

Up Next

The Magic of Brown Noise: Is It A Soothing Solution For Sleep? 5 Benefits To Know!

Brown Noise: Is It Good For Sleep? Great Benefits To Know!

Do you like sleeping with a relaxing sound playing in the background? Lots of people have found that brown noise helps them sleep better. But what is it and why does it work for so many people? Let’s find out!

If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your sleep, and focus like a pro then in this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what does brown noise do, its benefits, and how it can change your sleep routine. Millennials and Gen-z who have trouble waking up or sleeping should definitely learn more about it!

Up Next

Are We Wrong About Weight and Health? The Truth Behind Common Myths

Are We Wrong About Weight and Health? Truth Behind Common Myths

Think weight and health go hand-in-hand? Not so fast! There’s a lot more to the story, and some of what you’ve heard might be way off track. This article is going to explore what people get wrong about weight and health, and how to change this mindset.

It is possible to be healthy no matter your size.

That pain in your knee that just won’t go away. The wince you feel every time you bend down to pet your dog. The grinding feeling in your joints during long walks.

You know you need to see a doctor. But every time you think about setting up an appointment, images from previous visits flash through your head: the way your heart raced as you stepped on the scale.

The flush in your cheeks as you saw the number. The embarrassment you f

Up Next

The Mindful Eating Revolution: How to Train Your Brain and Transform Your Diet

The Mindful Eating Miracle: Transform Your Diet and Mindset

Are you ready to ditch mindless munching and take control of your eating habits? Mindful eating is more than a trend—it’s a brain hack that can transform how you relate to food.

By tuning in, you’ll not only savor every bite but also rewire your brain for lasting, healthy habits. Let’s explore what mindful eating is all about and the role neuroplasticity plays in this.

Related: How To Practice Mindful Eating Like A Pro: 10 Habits For Healthier Living

Are you t