May 19: Notable Births, with Quotes

Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on May 19.

Sam Smith, singer and songwriter (May 19, 1992–present)

“Music is therapy to me and when I’m sad maybe I should just try to write some stuff that’s a bit more freeing to get me out of the slump.” —Sam Smith
Levesley, David. “Sam Smith: ‘My issues with my body stem from issues with my gender.’” GQ, May 30, 2019, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/sam-smith-interview.

“My first experiences with the gay community weren’t the greatest; it was quite violent and scary at times. And growing up in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, it was quite a shock to the system when I moved to London.” —Sam Smith
Levesley, David. “Sam Smith: ‘My issues with my body stem from issues with my gender.’” GQ, May 30, 2019, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/sam-smith-interview.

Pete Townshend, singer and songwriter (May 19, 1945–present)

“Hendrix, although he played single lines, he was such an elegant, remarkable, decorative player as well, and just in a different league, I think. I’d like to say I was influenced by him, but who in their right mind would back that up today – even some of the shredders of the modern world – and say they could cover what he does?” —Pete Townshend
Slate, Jeff. “‘I’m Still Having Fun with Guitars’: Pete Townshend on Clapton, Hendrix, The Who and Coping with Lockdown Life.’” Guitar, May 7, 2021, https://guitar.com/features/interviews/pete-townshend-on-clapton-hendrix-the-who-coping-with-lockdown/.

“But I think what’s interesting is that guitars do change. I think they also need attention. I think you’ve got to keep your guitars out. It’s not good for them to be stored away. Even if they’re just sitting there on stands, they can get over-dry and warped, but at least they’re there to be picked up. It’s a bit like puppies.” —Pete Townshend
Slate, Jeff. “‘I’m Still Having Fun with Guitars’: Pete Townshend on Clapton, Hendrix, The Who and Coping with Lockdown Life.’” Guitar, May 7, 2021, https://guitar.com/features/interviews/pete-townshend-on-clapton-hendrix-the-who-coping-with-lockdown/.

Nora Ephron, writer and filmmaker (May 19, 1941–June 26, 2012)

“The thing is, you don’t really have to believe what you write in a blog for more than the moment when you’re writing it. You don’t bring the same solemnity that you would bring to an actual essay. You don’t think, Is this what I really want to say? You think, This is what I feel like saying at this moment.” —Nora Ephron
Borel, Kathryn. “An Interview with Nora Ephron.” Believer, March 1, 2012, https://thebeliever.net/an-interview-with-nora-ephron/.

“What I really understood as a magazine writer was when the beginning had to start to end, and the middle had to begin, and when the middle had to start to end and when the ending had to begin. And if you know that, you’re halfway to being a screenwriter.” —Nora Ephron
Borel, Kathryn. “An Interview with Nora Ephron.” Believer, March 1, 2012, https://thebeliever.net/an-interview-with-nora-ephron/.

Malcolm X, activist (May 19, 1925–February 21, 1965)

“There’s a time to be cool and a time to be hot. There’s a time to love and a time to hate.” —Malcolm X
Malcolm X. “The Language of Violence.” Figures of Speech, https://www.speech.almeida.co.uk/malcolm-x.

“You can’t say that you’re not going to have an explosion when you leave the conditions, the ingredients, still here. As long as those ingredients, explosive ingredients, remain, then you’re going to have the potential for explosion on your hands.” —Malcolm X
Malcolm X. “The Language of Violence.” Figures of Speech, https://www.speech.almeida.co.uk/malcolm-x.

Ho Chi Minh, revolutionary and statesman (May 19, 1890–September 2, 1969)

“We would rather sacrifice everything than lose our country, than return to slavery.” —Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh. “Wage Resistance War!” Marxists.org, https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/ho-chi-minh/works/1946/december/19.htm.

“Men and women, old and young, regardless of creeds, political parties, or nationalities, all the Vietnamese must stand up to fight the French colonialists to save the Fatherland.” —Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh. “Wage Resistance War!” Marxists.org, https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/ho-chi-minh/works/1946/december/19.htm.

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