Quotes from the Movie Being There

Repeated lines, initially referring simply to his lifelong habit of watching television.

Chance the Gardener

This is just like television, only you can see much further.

Chance the Gardener

It's for sure a white man's world in America. Look here: I raised that boy since he was the size of a piss-ant. And I'll say right now, he never learned to read and write. No, sir. Had no brains at all. Was stuffed with rice pudding between th' ears. Shortchanged by the Lord, and dumb as a jackass. Look at him now! Yes, sir, all you've gotta be is white in America, to get whatever you want. Gobbledy-gook!

Louise

Life is a state of mind.

President "Bobby"

No. Mr. Thomas Franklin told me I must leave the old man's house. He's dead, you know.

Chance

Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?

President "Bobby"

As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.

Chance

Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again.

Chance

I think what our insightful young friend is saying is that we welcome the inevitable seasons of nature, but we're upset by the seasons of our economy.

Benjamin Rand

Hm. Well, Mr. Gardner, I must admit that is one of the most refreshing and optimistic statements I've heard in a very, very long time. I admire your good, solid sense. That's precisely what we lack on Capitol Hill.

President "Bobby"

Mr. Gardner, uh, my editors and I have been wondering if you would consider writing a book for us, something about your um, political philosophy, what do you say?

Ron Steigler

Heh, heh, of course not, who can nowadays? Listen, I have trouble writing a postcard to my children. Look uhh, we can give you a six figure advance, I'll provide you with the very best ghost-writer, proof-readers...

Ron Steigler

Of course you can't! No one has the time! We, we glance at things, we watch television...

Ron Steigler

I like to watch TV.

Chance

You know, I've never met anyone like you in Washington before.

Dennis Watson
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