I was born in very sorry circumstances.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that Norman Wisdom, an English comedian, was born into a difficult or unfortunate situation. He didn't have an easy start in life, but he still went on to become a successful and well-known comedian.

About Norman Wisdom

Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom was a beloved English actor, comedian, musician, and singer best known for his comedic films featuring the hapless character Norman Pitkin. He gained international fame, with his films being adored in countries like Albania, and even received praise from the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Wisdom later found success on Broadway and in television, and was honored with numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Award, OBE, and a knighthood.

More about the author

More quotes from Norman Wisdom

I do play drums when I’m on tour.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I’ve always had a sense of humour, and I still do, so I just want to go on performing as long as I can. It’s as simple as that.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I like consistency. If you’ve had a childhood like mine, you want some things you can rely on to stay the same.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I play drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, piano.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I’ve been extremely lucky having been in the army when I was a boy of fourteen.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I’ve got one idea I want to do for a film and you know I just enjoy myself doing bits and pieces.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

At my age, the radiation will probably do me good.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

Well if I was going to describe my audience, it’s going to take longer than you’d ever expect, hundreds of years in fact, because there’s many of them, all over the world.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

Such is life and life is such and after all it isn’t much. First a cradle. Then a hearse. It might have been better, but it could have been worse.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I’ve an idea for doing a Situation Comedy myself but its always difficult to get people to listen to you because they like to put their own ideas forward.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I was in the band as a boy and was taught music and learned to compose.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

But no, I’ve just been very lucky. But I’ve worked hard, and the harder you work, the luckier you seem to get.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I’m still constantly thinking of ideas. I don’t feel 90. I think I’m about 12.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

All my boyhood, all I ever wanted was to be loved.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

Of course I’ve done musicals here in London.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I owe everything to the army.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I’ve done seven shows at the Palladium – long running shows I’m talking about.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I was born in very sorry circumstances.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

In fact, one was so booked out we went from March and were to go till November, but the pantomime was booked so they transferred the show to the Prince of Wales Theatre because it was so packed out, and it ran on from there.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

You know I’ve got a chum, a smashing mate, he’s got a dog with no legs, and he calls it a cigarette. It’s true, yeah, because at nighttime he has to take it out for a drag.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I don’t know nothing about communism. But I know the Albanians loved me. Same reason as anyone else loves me. Because I made them laugh.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I used to first go on to entertain an audience. But now I go, and this is really true – I go on to have fun with a crowd of my chums.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter

I was born in London, and went to school in Scotland – I used to be dead tired when I got home at night.

Norman Wisdom

English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter