It would be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wisecrack.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that it would be a great idea if you tried to think more deeply instead of just making quick, clever remarks. Stretching your mind means exploring new ideas and perspectives, rather than relying on the easy, funny response. By challenging yourself to think more broadly, you can discover new and interesting ways of looking at the world around you.

About Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn was an iconic American actress who had a long and successful career in Hollywood, spanning six decades. Known for her independent spirit, strong personality, and unconventional approach to life, Hepburn won a record-breaking four Academy Awards for Best Actress and became a symbol of the ‘modern woman’ in 20th-century America.

More about the author

More quotes from Katharine Hepburn

I never realized until lately that women were supposed to be the inferior sex.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Only the really plain people know about love – the very fascinating ones try so hard to create an impression that they soon exhaust their talents.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Why slap them on the wrist with feather when you can belt them over the head with a sledgehammer.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Without discipline, there’s no life at all.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Acting is the perfect idiot’s profession.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Death will be a great relief. No more interviews.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Dressing up is a bore. At a certain age, you decorate yourself to attract the opposite sex, and at a certain age, I did that. But I’m past that age.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

My greatest strength is common sense. I’m really a standard brand – like Campbell’s tomato soup or Baker’s chocolate.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Acting is a nice childish profession – pretending you’re someone else and, at the same time, selling yourself.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

When I started out, I didn’t have any desire to be an actress or to learn how to act. I just wanted to be famous.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Being a housewife and a mother is the biggest job in the world, but if it doesn’t interest you, don’t do it – I would have made a terrible mother.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Plain women know more about men than beautiful women do.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

It would be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wisecrack.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

It’s a business you go into because your an egocentric. It’s a very embarrassing profession.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

To be loved is very demoralizing.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

As for me, prizes are nothing. My prize is my work.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

If you want to give up the admiration of thousands of men for the distain of one, go ahead, get married.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Acting is the most minor of gifts. After all, Shirley Temple could do it when she was four.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Life is hard. After all, it kills you.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Enemies are so stimulating.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers – but never blame yourself. It’s never your fault. But it’s always your fault, because if you wanted to change you’re the one who has got to change.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

To keep your character intact you cannot stoop to filthy acts. It makes it easier to stoop the next time.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Never complain. Never explain.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

It’s a rather rude gesture, but at least it’s clear what you mean.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

I have many regrets, and I’m sure everyone does. The stupid things you do, you regret… if you have any sense, and if you don’t regret them, maybe you’re stupid.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Marriage is a series of desperate arguments people feel passionately about.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

The average Hollywood film star’s ambition is to be admired by an American, courted by an Italian, married to an Englishman and have a French boyfriend.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

It’s life isn’t it? You plow ahead and make a hit. And you plow on and someone passes you. Then someone passes them. Time levels.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

Trying to be fascinating is an asinine position to be in.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)

I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they’re good or there because they’re lucky.

Katharine Hepburn

American actress (1907-2003)