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Quote by Frank Capra

“Things own you. That's the trouble with capitalism. Things own you. With communism and fascism - ideas own you. One idea and you can't have any other.”

Quote by Frank Capra

Author

Frank Capra was an American film director whose profound influence on the Hollywood film industry is well-known. His works are characterized by optimism and profound insights into human nature, with notable films including 'Citizen Kane' and 'It's a Wonderful Life'. more

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“Most of ideologies are not based on the individual - no matter what they say. There are these peoples' democracies, nationalism - they're all dictatorships. And I think any kind of dictatorship is bad for the individual.”

Thinking Kind Matter Individual Democracy No Matter What Ideology Nationalism Dictatorship

Author:Frank Capra

“There are a lot of people who believe that the individual can't make it himself. And that's why people want to join up in various herds - herd formation. So you become part of a herd, a group. Group power of some kind. There's an awful lot of group power people in our country [the USA] - Black power, Chinese power, Indian power, woman power. Everyone is putting in together.”

People Want Believe Kind Country Together Individual Black Groups Various Our Country Awful Chinese Indian Usa Formation Herds Women Power Black Power

Author:Frank Capra

“Any kind of dictatorship, I'm uneasy. I just don't like dictators. I don't like crowds. I don't like hordes, and I don't like other people telling me what to do. This is probably a reaction against people telling me what to do when I was a kid. I won't join any group, espouse a cause against some other people.”

People Kind Kids Causes Groups Crowds Reactions Dictatorship Dictator Uneasy Horde

Author:Frank Capra

“I think the human spirit is a real powerful spirit. It has no limits and it has no ends. And I hate to see it put in any kind of box - pink or green.”

Thinking Humans Kind Real Ends Spirit Hate Powerful Limits I Hate Green Boxes Human Spirit

Author:Frank Capra

“War to me is the stupidest way of settling anything. The whole damn thing goes to pieces.”

Way War Whole Pieces Settling Damn Stupidest Damn Things

Author:Frank Capra

“I have a feeling that demonstrations don't accomplish anything. That they become fads. I also feel that demonstrations wouldn't go on unless there is a TV camera. That part of it all is performance for the media. I didn't know whether they are completely honest.”

Knows Feels Feelings Honest Media Tvs Goes On Performances Cameras Accomplish Demonstration Fads

Author:Frank Capra

“Man's greatest advances are weapon advances. Culture follows from weaponry, we are militant like the animals and birds - defending our homes. No matter how far back you go in history, along with the struggle for existence, along with the survival necessities - kill or be killed, eat or be eaten - there is a hunger for something spiritual. He invents God, prayers, incantations to something above him. Why? This is not brought out - this is not weapon culture.”

Men Matter Home Spiritual Culture Prayer Animal Existence Struggle Weapons Survival Bird Hunger Praying To God Militant God Prayer Weaponry Struggle For Existence

Author:Frank Capra

“I happen to think that Jesus was the greatest hero of all time. I don't think you could invent that kind of a hero. He had it all - everything that the human spirit could yearn for. There is nothing that man ever said or did, by word or deed that is evil. That is not full of compassion. That is not full of love for your neighbor whether he's down or out, or up - no matter what. He taught that you must love your neighbor whether he's a crook, a beggar, whether he's rich or poor.”

“I have a sixth sense for casting. I just have to see and talk to the actors. I never make tests. I like to work with crowds. I like to get the principals in a crowd. When they do, something else comes off, something special.”

Actors Special Tests Crowds Principal Casting Something Special Sixth Sense

Author:Frank Capra

“Film is universal. All the countries of the world are making films. Hollywood is the only major unsubsidized center for films. To my knowledge all others are at least partially subsidized. I'm glad Hollywood isn't.”

World Country Film Majors Hollywood Universal Glad Countries Of The World

Author:Frank Capra