August 15: Notable Births, with Quotes
Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on August 15.
Ben Affleck, actor and filmmaker (August 15, 1972–present)
“I think it’s hard to overestimate the degree to which a director’s attitude, openness, comfort, generosity pervades the set and sets a tone.” —Ben Affleck
Greenblatt, Leah. “Ben Affleck, at the top of his game.” Entertainment Weekly, January 11, 2022, https://ew.com/movies/ben-affleck-cover-story-tender-bar-matt-damon/
“I want to be George Clooney selling coffee and tequila. Because that really frees you up to do the movies you want to do.” —Ben Affleck
Greenblatt, Leah. “Ben Affleck, at the top of his game.” Entertainment Weekly, January 11, 2022, https://ew.com/movies/ben-affleck-cover-story-tender-bar-matt-damon/
Oscar Peterson, jazz pianist (August 15, 1925–December 23, 2007)
“I don’t really miss the clubs, but in one way they were always a good catalyst. In clubs our playing would always be a lot looser, and we’d look at one another a different way, more eye contact, perhaps a different type of challenge. We might push the music into different directions in a way that we would not on the concert stage.” —Oscar Peterson
Shipton, Alyn. “Classic interview | Oscar Peterson: ‘Believe me, once we get to the end of a tune there’s no love lost! We’ll be going for one another!’” Jazzwise, October 27, 2021, https://www.jazzwise.com/features/article/classic-interview-oscar-peterson-believe-me-once-we-get-to-the-end-of-a-tune-there-s-no-love-lost-we-ll-be-going-for-one-another
“I’ve never interfered with the soloists in the band when it comes to their turn on a concert and nor do they interfere with me, but we work hard to play the best we can on the selection for that night.” —Oscar Peterson
Shipton, Alyn. “Classic interview | Oscar Peterson: ‘Believe me, once we get to the end of a tune there’s no love lost! We’ll be going for one another!’” Jazzwise, October 27, 2021, https://www.jazzwise.com/features/article/classic-interview-oscar-peterson-believe-me-once-we-get-to-the-end-of-a-tune-there-s-no-love-lost-we-ll-be-going-for-one-another
Phyllis Schlafly, activist and author (August 15, 1924–September 5, 2016)
“The fact that women, not men, have babies is not the fault of selfish and domineering men, or of the establishment, or of any clique of conspirators who want to oppress women. It’s simply the way God made us.” —Phyllis Schlafly
Schlafly, Phyllis. “What’s Wrong with ‘Equal Rights’ for Women? – 1972.” Iowa State University, January 1, 1972, https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2016/02/02/whats-wrong-with-equal-rights-for-women-1972/
“A man may search 30 to 40 years for accomplishment in his profession. A woman can enjoy real achievement when she is young—by having a baby.” —Phyllis Schlafly
Schlafly, Phyllis. “What’s Wrong with ‘Equal Rights’ for Women? – 1972.” Iowa State University, January 1, 1972, https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2016/02/02/whats-wrong-with-equal-rights-for-women-1972/
Julia Child, cooking teacher and television personality (August 15, 1912–August 13, 2004)
“When I was in the Foreign Service, they didn’t really pay attention to wives at all. A lot of them never learned the language, or did anything.” —Julia Child
Fenzi, Jewell. “Interview with Julia Child.” Library of Congress, November 7, 1991, https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/mss/mfdip/2004/2004chi01/2004chi01.pdf
“If you have had the classic training, all you need are the few notes, because there is a repertoire of la cuisine that will say that you do a lobster a l’americaine, you make such and such a souffle and such and such a sauce. You don’t need to have any more directions because you know what they are talking about.” —Julia Child
Fenzi, Jewell. “Interview with Julia Child.” Library of Congress, November 7, 1991, https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/mss/mfdip/2004/2004chi01/2004chi01.pdf
Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I), military leader (August 15, 1769–May 5, 1821)
“I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country. “ —Napoleon Bonaparte
Bonaparte, Napoleon. “Modern History Sourcebook: Napoleon Bonaparte: Farewell to the Old Guard, April 29, 1814.” Fordham University, April 20, 1814, https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1814napoleon.asp
“Soldiers! Your destiny is beautiful, because you are worthy of what you have done and of the opinions that others have of you.” —Napoleon Bonaparte
Swatscheno, Janet and Denci, Patricia. “Napoleon Bonaparte’s Proclamations, speeches and letters during his campaign in Egypt 9-16his campaign in Egypt 9-16.” DePaul University, January 1, 2009, https://via.library.depaul.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1007&context=napoleon
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