August 31: Notable Births, with Quotes

Explore memorable and revealing quotes from public figures, past and present, who were born on August 31.

Richard Gere, actor (August 31, 1949–present)

“My career has never been thought out. I never engineered a career. I just have always done whatever I wanted. You’re restricted by what you’re offered… but the incredible list of brilliant directors and actors and writers I’ve worked with, you know I’m kind of amazed myself that I’ve been able to ride this career this long with such good people.” —Richard Gere
Macnab, Geoffrey. “Richard Gere interview: My career has never been thought out. I just have always done whatever I wanted.” Independent, June 2, 2017, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/richard-gere-norman-the-moderate-rise-and-tragic-fall-of-a-new-york-fixer-pretty-woman-american-gigolo-arbitrage-days-of-heaven-a7765376.html

“That’s kind of our objective in making movies—what is the universal human predicament?” —Richard Gere
Macnab, Geoffrey. “Richard Gere interview: My career has never been thought out. I just have always done whatever I wanted.” Independent, June 2, 2017, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/richard-gere-norman-the-moderate-rise-and-tragic-fall-of-a-new-york-fixer-pretty-woman-american-gigolo-arbitrage-days-of-heaven-a7765376.html

Arthur Godfrey, broadcaster (August 31, 1903–March 16, 1983)

“What keeps you going is doing different things all the time.” —Arthur Godfrey
Rogge, Bette. “Bette Rogge interviews Arthur Godfrey.” YouTube, February 26, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTW_PaPXJhw

“This is Arthur Godfrey. This is the ‘Talent Scouts’ show. We operate here on the theory that since the public makes stars, the public should have a hand in finding them.” —Arthur Godfrey
Block, Melissa. “Arthur Godfrey an Unlikely Early American Idol.” NPR, January 2, 2008, https://www.npr.org/transcripts/17790128

Maria Montessori, educator and physician (August 31, 1870–May 6, 1952)

“In my opinion there is only one remedy by which future generations can be protected against the woe which burdens us: let us forget the problems and concentrate on the person!” —Maria Montessori
Montessori, Maria. “Speech at the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute of Education.” Educateurs sans Frontieres, June 19, 1951, https://esfforchildrensrights.com/unescospeech

“The wisdom of mankind dates back to primitive times and there have not always been schools.” —Maria Montessori
Montessori, Maria. “Speech at the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute of Education.” Educateurs sans Frontieres, June 19, 1951, https://esfforchildrensrights.com/unescospeech

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