Alan Bates Quotes

Zorba Why do the young die? Why does anybody die?

Basil I don't know.

Zorba What's the use of all your damn books if they can't answer that?

Basil They tell me about the agony of men who can't answer questions like yours.

Zorba I spit on this agony!

Basil I don't want any trouble.

Zorba Boss, life is trouble. Only death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and look for trouble.

Basil I don't believe you give a damn about your country.

Zorba Don't you talk to me like that! Look here, here and here! Nothing on the back! I have done things for my country that would make your hair stand. I have killed. Destroyed villages. Raped women. And why? Because they were Turks! or Bulgarians! That's the rotten damned fool I was. Now I look at a man – any man – and I say, he is good, he is bad. What do I care if he's Greek or Turk? As I get older, I swear by the bread I eat, I even stop asking that. Good or bad? What is the difference? They all end up the same way... ]!

Basil Don't be sad. He's coming back.

Basil Aren't you feeling well?

Hortense In my age, monsieur, one is never well... especially on the holidays.

Zorba Damn it boss, I like you too much not to say it: you've got everything except one thing—madness. A man needs a little madness, or else...

Basil Or else?

Zorba ...he never dares cut the rope and be free.