Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Share this quote on facebook [Opening lines] A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But, here, in our little village of Anatevka, every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask, why do we stay here if it's so dangerous? We stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: Tradition!

Share this quote on facebook Because of our traditions, we have kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything: how to how to eat, how to sleep, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer-shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I'll tell you. I don't know. But it's a tradition. And because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is, and what God expects him to do.

Share this quote on facebook Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!

Share this quote on facebook [to God] Sometimes I wonder, when it gets too quiet up there, if You are thinking, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?"

Share this quote on facebook [to God] It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. After all, with Your help, I'm starving to death. Oh, dear Lord. You made many many poor people. I realize, of course, it's no shame to be poor... but it's no great honor either. So what would be so terrible... if I had a small fortune?

Share this quote on facebook As the Good Book says, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face.

Share this quote on facebook [to God] I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?

Share this quote on facebook [to Chava] As the Good Book says "Each shall seek his own kind". In other words, a bird may love a fish... but where would they build a home together?

Share this quote on facebook When I get angry, even flies don't dare to fly!

Share this quote on facebook Golde, I am the man in the family! I am the head of the house! And I want to see Motel's new machine now! [looks inside Motel's house for barely a second] Now let's go home!

Share this quote on facebook [to God] Am I bothering You too much? I'm sorry. As the good book says... aaahh, why should I tell You what the Good Book says?

Share this quote on facebook [Last lines] All right, children. Let's go.

Share this quote on facebook As the good book says, when a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick.

Share this quote on facebook On the other hand, how can I turn my back on my faith, my people? If I try and bend that far, I'll break. On the other hand... No. There is no other hand.

Share this quote on facebook If God lived on earth, people would break His windows.

Share this quote on facebook Ah, children, they are your blessing in your old age. But of course my Aaron couldn't give me children. Between you and me, Golde, he hardly tried.

Share this quote on facebook Not everyone is a man!

Share this quote on facebook From such children, come other children!

Share this quote on facebook Hodel: [to Tevye] The world is changing, Papa.

Share this quote on facebook Fyedka: [introducing himself to Chava] I'm a pleasant fellow - charming, honest, ambitious, quite bright, and very modest.

Share this quote on facebook Hodel: We only have one Rabbi, and he only has one son. Why shouldn't I want the best?

Share this quote on facebook Motel: If the rich could hire others to die for them, we, the poor, would all make a nice living.

Share this quote on facebook Motel: Even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness!

Share this quote on facebook Motel: You'll all chatter yourselves away into the grave.

Share this quote on facebook Tevye: As the good book says, when a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick.
Neighbor: Where does the book say that?
Tevye: Well, it doesn't say that exactly, but somewhere there is something about a chicken. Good Sabbath!

Share this quote on facebook Tevye: [singing] Is this the little girl I found? Is this the little boy at play?
Golde: [singing] I don't remember growing older. When did they?

Share this quote on facebook Perchik: In this world it is the wealthy who are criminals. Someday their wealth will be ours.
Tevye: That would be nice. If they would agree, I would agree.

Share this quote on facebook Tevye: As Abraham said, "I am a stranger in a strange land..."
Neighbor: Moses said that.
Tevye: Ah. Well, as King David said, "I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue."
Neighbor: That was also Moses.
Tevye: For a man who was slow of tongue, he talked a lot.

Share this quote on facebook Perchik: Money is the world's curse.
Tevye: May the Lord smite me with it! And may I never recover!

Share this quote on facebook Lazar Wolfe: How is your brother-in-law? In America?
Tevye: Oh, he's doing very well.
Lazar Wolfe: Oh, he wrote you?
Tevye: No, not lately.
Lazar Wolfe: Then how do you know?
Tevye: If he was doing badly, he would write.

Share this quote on facebook Constable: You're an honest, decent person. Even though you are a Jew.
Tevye: Oh... Thank you, your honor. How often does a man get a compliment like that?

Share this quote on facebook Tevye: Thank you, your honor. You are a good man. If I may say so, it's too bad you're not a Jew.
Constable: [laughs] That's what I like about you, Hannah. You're always joking.

Share this quote on facebook Lazar Wolfe: Have a drink?
Tevye: I won't insult you by saying no.

Share this quote on facebook Perchik: I'm a very good teacher.
Hodel: I heard that the Rabbi who must congratulate himself has a congregation of one.

Share this quote on facebook Perchik: Your daughter has a quick and witty tongue.
Tevye: Yes, the wit she gets from me. As the good book says...
Golde: The good book can wait, it's time for Sabbath!
Tevye: The tongue she gets from her mother.

Share this quote on facebook Villager: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth!
Tevye: Very good. That way the whole world will be blind and toothless.

Share this quote on facebook Neighbor: (gestures at Simba and Motel) He's right, and he's right? They can't both be right.
Tevye: You know... you are also right.

Share this quote on facebook Motel: You won't be sorry! You won't be sorry!
Tevye: I won't be sorry? I'm sorry already!

Share this quote on facebook Young Jewish Man: Rabbi, may I ask you a question?
Rabbi: Certainly, my son.
Young Jewish Man: Is there a proper blessing for the Tsar?
Rabbi: A blessing for the Tsar? Of course! May God bless and keep the Tsar... far away from us!

Share this quote on facebook A tradition

Share this quote on facebook The screen's most magnificent entertainment returns... filled with joy, laughter, love and life.

Share this quote on facebook Shout It From The Rooftops!

Share this quote on facebook To Life!