August 12: Notable Births, with Quotes
Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on August 12.
Pete Sampras, tennis player (August 12, 1971–present)
“I do think what Novak’s done over the past 10 years, winning the majors, being consistent, finishing No. 1 for seven years, to me it’s a clear sign that he is the greatest of all time.” —Pete Sampras
Oddo, Chris. “‘A clear sign that he is the greatest of all-time’ – Sampras on Djokovic’s seven year-end No 1 finishes.” ATP, November 16, 2021, https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/a-clear-sign-that-he-is-the-greatest-of-all-time-sampras-on-djokovics-7-year-end-no-1-finishes-514634.html.
“I miss the game, but I don’t miss the stress of it.” —Pete Sampras
Wertheim, Jon. “Pete Sampras Is Doing Just Fine.” SI, July 5, 2021, https://www.si.com/tennis/2021/07/05/where-are-they-now-pete-sampras.
Francois Hollande, former French president (August 12, 1954–present)
“The French Constitution is not a flexible text with ellipses or parentheses.” —Francois Hollande
France 24. “‘Democracy is stronger than barbarism,’ Hollande says in key speech.” France 24, 8/9/2016, https://www.france24.com/en/20160908-hollande-speech-barbarism-terror-secularism-france.
“Democracy will be stronger than the barbarism that has declared war on us.” —Francois Hollande
France 24. “‘Democracy is stronger than barbarism,’ Hollande says in key speech.” France 24, 8/9/2016, https://www.france24.com/en/20160908-hollande-speech-barbarism-terror-secularism-france.
Mark Knopfler, musician (August 12, 1949–present)
“I found on the ‘Brothers In Arms’ tour that people find spaces to fill in the music and when you listen back to it, you find everyone is doing too much.” —Mark Knopfler
Noble, Douglas J. “‘Having good chops definitely helps, but it’s not the whole story’: Mark Knopfler on musicianship.” Guitar.com, August 12, 2019, https://guitar.com/features/interviews/mark-knopfler/.
“I don’t know how often that kind of ‘transcending’ gig is supposed to happen – if I’m finding my way across the fretboard well and if I’m getting a sound I like, then sure, things can definitely take off.” —Mark Knopfler
Noble, Douglas J. “‘Having good chops definitely helps, but it’s not the whole story’: Mark Knopfler on musicianship.” Guitar.com, August 12, 2019, https://guitar.com/features/interviews/mark-knopfler/.
George Hamilton, actor (August 12, 1939–present)
“I was at the studio one day, and Cary Grant was there doing ‘North by Northwest.’ And I thought, God, that’s what I’d like to be.” —George Hamilton
Netto, David. “The Immortal Cool of George Hamilton.” Town & Country, December 3, 2019, https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a29799421/george-hamilton-interview/.
“I’m open for business now, and I want to do the right thing. It’s a weird feeling being 80 years old when you should be saying, ‘Okay, adios, I’ve done it, got to go.’ It’s taken me this long to get it together to do the things I really care about.” —George Hamilton
Netto, David. “The Immortal Cool of George Hamilton.” Town & Country, December 3, 2019, https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a29799421/george-hamilton-interview/.
Cecil B. DeMille, director (August 12, 1881–January 21, 1959)
“A man is no better than what he leaves behind.” —Cecil B. DeMille
DeMille, Cecil B. “Cecil B. DeMille: The Art of the Hollywood Epic.” Running Press Adult, December 16, 2014.
“In my imagination, fed with the heroic tales my father read us, I was the Champion Driver, a Robin Hood whose Sherwood Forest was the world.” —Cecil B. DeMille
DeMille, Cecil B. “Cecil B. DeMille: The Art of the Hollywood Epic.” Running Press Adult, December 16, 2014.
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