Athol Fugard Quotes

South African playwright (1932–2025)

Athol Fugard OIS HonFRSL (11 June 1932 – 8 March 2025) was a South African playwright, novelist, actor and director widely regarded as South Africa's greatest playwright. He is best known for his political and penetrating plays opposing the system of apartheid. Some of these have also been adapted for film.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Alternative Names: Harold Athol Lannigan Fugard • Athol Harold Lanigan Fugard

From Wikidata (CC0)

Showing quotes in randomized order to avoid selection bias. Click Popular for most popular quotes.

Sam, Willie ... is he in there with you boys?

I think I spent more time in there with you chaps than anywhere else in that dump. And do you blame me? Nothing but bloody misery wherever you went."

Mr. Sam was our father. He knew about our dreams and ambitions.

Do you think Fathers do any more for their sons, except in terms of money, that Mothers do for their daughters.

You were scared of the ball because it was big and hard and could hurt you, just like life can hurt you.

Hally: It’s a bloody awful world when you come to think of it. People can be real bastards.
Sam: That’s the way it is, Hally.
Hally: It doesn’t have to be that way. There is something called progress you know. We don’t exactly burn people at the stake anymore.

Too many cooks spoil the broth

Hold it, Robert. Hold it just like that. Just one more. Now smile Robert... Smile... Smile...