My idea of going to hell is going somewhere where there are no books.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that the actor James MacArthur believes that being in a place without any books would be a terrible or "hell-like" experience for him. He seems to love reading and learning so much that he cannot imagine being in a place where he has no access to books. This shows how important books and knowledge are to him, and how much he values the ability to read and expand his mind.

About James MacArthur

James MacArthur was an American actor and recording artist who had a long career in both movies and television. He is best known for his starring role as Danny “Danno” Williams in the long-running TV series Hawaii Five-O, and for his 1963 spoken-word recording ‘The Ten Commandments of Love’ that charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

More about the author

More quotes from James MacArthur

Beating the drums for Hawaii is not hard to do… the place just grows on you.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I got into the acting business very young.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Frankly – and believe me, I say this without any pretense – when I see the road I’ve taken, I have to say that thanks to good luck, because without good luck one can do nothing, I’ve come out pretty well.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Once you’re a winner, you can give all sorts of reasons why you’re a winner. Of course, you could all those same reasons to explain why a show fails.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

The first year we actually did a lot of night shooting and the writers weren’t even allowed on location.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I had accumulated some capital and was at an age at which I was interested in generating income. But even though I was risk averse, I was interested in growth stocks.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I am happy to have now as Danny finally a more difficult role, in which I can shoot and fight.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

A woman doesn’t just love a man. She loves who he is. And, who he is is dependent on what he needs.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

But I found out that bones with flesh are more interesting than bones without.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I thought even if the show only lasted a year, it would be fun.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

You should hear the guy who dubs me in Japan. I like him the most. He has a high squeaky voice.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

And I had an old-fashioned idea that dividends were a good thing.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I don’t think anyone connected with Five-O believed the show would last as long as it did.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Six years ago, I completed the premier episode of Hawaii Five-O, and Jack Lord and I immediately realized that we had a good series, that this was a success such as we’d never hoped for!

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Nobody really knows what makes a hit TV show.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I just sold a farm in Missouri, and I own a ski lodge in Colorado with some Honolulu partners.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Walt Disney was not a merchant of sadness.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

They all went down in droves because just scenes of palm trees and beaches can get pretty boring.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Some people say Hawaii is spoiled, but I don’t think so. It’s modern. It’s a part of today’s world.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

For years I have played the twenty-something lover.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

It’s sometimes unnerving to think of that, and I wish it were possible for all children in the world to have the good fortune I’ve had in having a giving and loving family.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

My mother insisted that I have a normal upbringing.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

But it’s hard to sustain a successful acting career today.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

If the woman in my life, the one that I felt I loved enough to want to marry, loved my children, I’d know then that her love for me was deeper than I could hope for.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

And after four years, I thoroughly enjoy Hawaii and the success of the show.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

When the major studios flourished many years ago, an actor was groomed, developed, and worked frequently at his craft. The studios really took care of their actors.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Actually, if I could find a woman who was that wonderful; that understanding, well, I’d give her everything in the world that was in my power to give. And, I’d love her more than I ever thought it possible to love any woman.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

It was an hour of sanity with the good guys winning, a situation where the world was right side up.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Who knows what kind of life I might have had had I not been fortunate enough to have the parents I’ve had.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

You know, as I do, actors who, having become worldwide celebrities thanks to a TV series, complain of their lot and declare themselves ready to drop it all.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

We were living in a tumultuous time, when the world was upside down. Freeman produced a show that was black and white, the good guys versus the bad guys.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

My idea of going to hell is going somewhere where there are no books.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

In the case of Five-O, I believe it was a combination of many ingredients – timing, chemistry, Hawaii.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

I give a percentage of the earnings to the Motion Picture Home.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)

Fortunately, I’ve also been an electrician, and that’s a happy memory for me.

James MacArthur

American actor (1937-2010)