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100 Joss Whedon Quotes About Life & Writing

Famous As: Screenwriter, Director & Producer
Born On: June 23, 1964
Born In: New York City
Founder / Co Founder: Mutant Enemy Productions, Bellwether Pictures
Age: 58 Years
Joss Whedon, born Joseph Hill Whedon, is a renowned American TV and film writer, director, producer, composer, and comic strip writer best known for his works such as ‘Avengers’, and ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. In 1989, Joss started his career as a staff writer with ‘Roseanne and Parenthood’. He wrote the script for a Hollywood movie ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ in 1992. In 1995, Joss wrote the script of ‘Waterworld’ as well as co-wrote the blockbuster animated movie ‘Toy Story’. Joss got his massive break in 1997 with the creation of his maiden TV series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Joss also penned the script of the 1997 movie ‘Alien Resurrection’. Joss wrote and directed highly-acclaimed movie ‘Serenity’ released in 2005. In 2007, Joss directed two episodes of ‘The Office’ TV series. Joss is also the writer and director of Marvel Cinematic Universe ‘Avengers’ (2011), and ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015). He is also the executive producer of three widely-watched TV series ‘Angel’, ‘Dollhouse’, and ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D’. We bring to you some quotations and thoughts in his own words that will give you a glimpse about the wit and intelligence of the distinguished writer. Here is a compilation of quotes and sayings by Joss Whedon.
Remember to always be yourself. Unless you suck.

Remember to always be yourself. Unless you suck.

Joss Whedon
I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of.

I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of.

Joss Whedon
I'll take crazy over stupid any day.

I'll take crazy over stupid any day.

Joss Whedon
People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy.

People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy.

Joss Whedon
There's a time and place for everything, and I believe it’s called 'fan fiction'.

There's a time and place for everything, and I believe it’s called 'fan fiction'.

Joss Whedon
Very occasionally, if you pay really close attention, life doesn't suck.

Very occasionally, if you pay really close attention, life doesn't suck.

Joss Whedon
Humor keeps us alive. Humor and food. Don't forget food. You can go a week without laughing.

Humor keeps us alive. Humor and food. Don't forget food. You can go a week without laughing.

Joss Whedon
You're going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

You're going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

Joss Whedon
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FRIKKIN' SHOW. I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damn.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FRIKKIN' SHOW. I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damn.

Joss Whedon
Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE.

Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE.

Joss Whedon
Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke.

Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke.

Joss Whedon
Recognizing power in another does not diminish your own.

Recognizing power in another does not diminish your own.

Joss Whedon
So, why do you write these strong female characters?

Because you’re still asking me that question.

So, why do you write these strong female characters? Because you’re still asking me that question." [Equality Now speech, May 15, 2006]

Joss Whedon
If you can't run, you crawl. If you can't crawl-- you find someone to carry you.

If you can't run, you crawl. If you can't crawl-- you find someone to carry you.

Joss Whedon
There’s a fine line between support and stalking and let’s all stay on the right side of that.

There’s a fine line between support and stalking and let’s all stay on the right side of that.

Joss Whedon
Don’t give people what they want, give them what they need.

Don’t give people what they want, give them what they need.

Joss Whedon
You take people, you put them on a journey, you give them peril, you find out who they really are.

You take people, you put them on a journey, you give them peril, you find out who they really are.

Joss Whedon
In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the slayer.

In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the slayer.

Joss Whedon
All worthy work is open to interpretations the author did not intend. Art isn't your pet -- it's your kid. It grows up and talks back to you.

All worthy work is open to interpretations the author did not intend. Art isn't your pet -- it's your kid. It grows up and talks back to you.

Joss Whedon
If you can't do something smart, do something right.

If you can't do something smart, do something right.

Joss Whedon
If you're going to make a science fiction movie, then have a hover craft chase, for God's sake.

If you're going to make a science fiction movie, then have a hover craft chase, for God's sake.

Joss Whedon
Loneliness is about the scariest thing out there.

Loneliness is about the scariest thing out there.

Joss Whedon
I'd rather make a show 100 people need to see, than a show that 1000 people want to see.

I'd rather make a show 100 people need to see, than a show that 1000 people want to see.

Joss Whedon
Every day's a negotiation and sometimes it's done with guns.

Every day's a negotiation and sometimes it's done with guns.

Joss Whedon
Faith in God means believing absolutely in something with no proof whatsoever. Faith in humanity means believing absolutely in something with a huge amount of proof to the contrary. We are the true believers.

Faith in God means believing absolutely in something with no proof whatsoever. Faith in humanity means believing absolutely in something with a huge amount of proof to the contrary. We are the true believers.

Joss Whedon
You can't take the sky from me.

You can't take the sky from me.

Joss Whedon
Two things that matter to me. Emotional resonance and rocket launchers.

Two things that matter to me. Emotional resonance and rocket launchers.

Joss Whedon
You either have to write or you shouldn't be writing. That's all.

You either have to write or you shouldn't be writing. That's all.

Joss Whedon
I cannot abide useless people.

I cannot abide useless people.

Joss Whedon
Redemption is something you have to fight for in a very personal, down-dirty way. Some of our characters lose that, some stray from that, and some regain it.

Redemption is something you have to fight for in a very personal, down-dirty way. Some of our characters lose that, some stray from that, and some regain it.

Joss Whedon
Shiny, let's be bad guys!

Shiny, let's be bad guys!

Joss Whedon
He's like Super Librarian, y'know? Everyone forgets, Willow, that knowledge is the ultimate weapon.

He's like Super Librarian, y'know? Everyone forgets, Willow, that knowledge is the ultimate weapon.

Joss Whedon
The thing about changing the world... Once you do it, the world's all different.

The thing about changing the world... Once you do it, the world's all different.

Joss Whedon
As we all know, blinking lights means science.

As we all know, blinking lights means science.

Joss Whedon
Everything I do is going to contain the message that men who are going to be comfortable with powerful women are going to be more powerful men

Everything I do is going to contain the message that men who are going to be comfortable with powerful women are going to be more powerful men

Joss Whedon
If I kill you, you'll be awake, you'll be facing me, and you'll be armed.

If I kill you, you'll be awake, you'll be facing me, and you'll be armed.

Joss Whedon
It's not enough to bash in heads. You've got to bash in minds.

It's not enough to bash in heads. You've got to bash in minds.

Joss Whedon
Captain, I think you have a problem with your brain being missing.

Captain, I think you have a problem with your brain being missing.

Joss Whedon
Time for some thrillin' heroics.

Time for some thrillin' heroics.

Joss Whedon
Everyone has their first date and the object is to hide your flaws. And then you're in a relationship, and it's all about hiding your disappointment. And then, once you're married, it's about hiding your sins.

Everyone has their first date and the object is to hide your flaws. And then you're in a relationship, and it's all about hiding your disappointment. And then, once you're married, it's about hiding your sins.

Joss Whedon
I also don't trust Caribou anymore. They're out there, on the tundra, waiting... Something's going down. I'm right about this.

I also don't trust Caribou anymore. They're out there, on the tundra, waiting... Something's going down. I'm right about this.

Joss Whedon
Dr. Banner, your work is unparalleled. And I'm a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous, green rage monster.

Dr. Banner, your work is unparalleled. And I'm a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous, green rage monster.

Joss Whedon
Someone else's loss is my chocolatey goodness

Someone else's loss is my chocolatey goodness

Joss Whedon
The news isn't there to tell you what happened. It's there to tell you what it wants you to hear or what it thinks you want to hear.

The news isn't there to tell you what happened. It's there to tell you what it wants you to hear or what it thinks you want to hear.

Joss Whedon
Can't stop the signal

Can't stop the signal

Joss Whedon
Sadly, I hate foreigners. And Americans. And animals. And flora, and some fauna. Also the magma that is the very core of this our mother earth. I'm full o' hate!

Sadly, I hate foreigners. And Americans. And animals. And flora, and some fauna. Also the magma that is the very core of this our mother earth. I'm full o' hate!

Joss Whedon
If every vampire who said he was at The Crucifixion, was actually there, it would have been like Woodstock . . .

If every vampire who said he was at The Crucifixion, was actually there, it would have been like Woodstock . . .

Joss Whedon
War is not just the business of death, it is the antitheses of life.

War is not just the business of death, it is the antitheses of life.

Joss Whedon
It's about women. It's about power and it's about women and you just hate those two words in the same sentence, don't you?

It's about women. It's about power and it's about women and you just hate those two words in the same sentence, don't you?

Joss Whedon
I'm not big on regret. It's not on my schedule.

I'm not big on regret. It's not on my schedule.

Joss Whedon
In the time of gods and monsters, what is the worth of a man?

In the time of gods and monsters, what is the worth of a man?

Joss Whedon
Okay, uh, I'm lost. I'm angry. And I'm armed.

Okay, uh, I'm lost. I'm angry. And I'm armed.

Joss Whedon
Time is what turns kittens into cats.

Time is what turns kittens into cats.

Joss Whedon
So, no more running. I aim to misbehave.

So, no more running. I aim to misbehave.

Joss Whedon
You are talking crazy-person talk. Put your words in word places please.

You are talking crazy-person talk. Put your words in word places please.

Joss Whedon
I mean, I knew I wasn't a nice person, but what did I do in my past life to deserve this? I must have hit a bus full of nuns while driving a stolen car on my way to selling drugs to schoolchildren!

I mean, I knew I wasn't a nice person, but what did I do in my past life to deserve this? I must have hit a bus full of nuns while driving a stolen car on my way to selling drugs to schoolchildren!

Joss Whedon
What's plan b?'
'We all die now.'
'What's plan c?

What's plan b?' 'We all die now.' 'What's plan c?

Joss Whedon
Misogyny… is not a true part of the human condition. It is life out of balance and that imbalance is sucking something out of the soul of every man and woman who is confronted with it.

Misogyny… is not a true part of the human condition. It is life out of balance and that imbalance is sucking something out of the soul of every man and woman who is confronted with it.

Joss Whedon
How do you know your Colossus is the genuine article in the first place?

I read his mind.

I matched his DNA.

I smelled him.

I also did that.

How do you know your Colossus is the genuine article in the first place? I read his mind. I matched his DNA. I smelled him. I also did that.

Joss Whedon
Love is for children. I owe him a debt.

Love is for children. I owe him a debt.

Joss Whedon
Do you love me?
What?
Do you?
I love you. I don't know if I trust you.
Maybe you shouldn't do either.
Maybe I'm the one who should decide!

Do you love me? What? Do you? I love you. I don't know if I trust you. Maybe you shouldn't do either. Maybe I'm the one who should decide!

Joss Whedon
Xander, don't speak Latin in front of the books.

Xander, don't speak Latin in front of the books.

Joss Whedon
Back in my day, which was about a week and a half ago, we took our lumps and we got back up and we cried like babies and quit and then put on weight.

Back in my day, which was about a week and a half ago, we took our lumps and we got back up and we cried like babies and quit and then put on weight.

Joss Whedon
You think we're dancing?

You think we're dancing?" "That's all we've ever done.

Joss Whedon
How did you find me here? 
If I was blind, I would see you.
Stay with me.
Forever. That's the whole point. I'll never leave. Not even if you kill me.

How did you find me here? If I was blind, I would see you. Stay with me. Forever. That's the whole point. I'll never leave. Not even if you kill me.

Joss Whedon
Because to me, there is no logic of any kind behind misogyny. Therefore, it’s funny, because it’s so completely random to me. It’s senseless.

Because to me, there is no logic of any kind behind misogyny. Therefore, it’s funny, because it’s so completely random to me. It’s senseless.

Joss Whedon
I aim to misbehave.

I aim to misbehave.

Joss Whedon
To read makes our speaking English good.

To read makes our speaking English good.

Joss Whedon
I leave the world in terrible turmoil. I come back, same turmoil. Nothing at all different. Well, outfits are a little different...

I leave the world in terrible turmoil. I come back, same turmoil. Nothing at all different. Well, outfits are a little different...

Joss Whedon
Whatever makes you weird, is probably your greatest asset.

Whatever makes you weird, is probably your greatest asset.

Joss Whedon
Life's a show and we all play a part
And when the music starts
We open up our hearts

Life's a show and we all play a part And when the music starts We open up our hearts

Joss Whedon
You can't just throw people at all your problems, dear.

You can't just throw people at all your problems, dear.

Joss Whedon
Writing is the greatest thing that can happen to a human being. It's the best.

Writing is the greatest thing that can happen to a human being. It's the best.

Joss Whedon
A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend

A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend

Joss Whedon
I am not made of steel. Rage. I...am made... of RAGE!!!!

I am not made of steel. Rage. I...am made... of RAGE!!!!

Joss Whedon
I really like beer.

I really like beer.

Joss Whedon
I'm not a leader now. I'm a whole damn army.

I'm not a leader now. I'm a whole damn army.

Joss Whedon
The first lesson a watcher learns is to separate truth from illusion. Because in the world of magicks, it's the hardest thing to do.

The first lesson a watcher learns is to separate truth from illusion. Because in the world of magicks, it's the hardest thing to do.

Joss Whedon
Try taking a stand on just one leg. You need to see both sides.

Try taking a stand on just one leg. You need to see both sides.

Joss Whedon
If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.

If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.

Joss Whedon
I'm totally cool. I'm totally calm, and I'm totally cool. My calm is exceeded only by my cool. Which is total. Here we go.

I'm totally cool. I'm totally calm, and I'm totally cool. My calm is exceeded only by my cool. Which is total. Here we go.

Joss Whedon
To accept duality is to earn identity.

To accept duality is to earn identity.

Joss Whedon
Sketchy: I'm no stranger to stoner logic.

Sketchy: I'm no stranger to stoner logic.

Joss Whedon
I keep thinking they’re gonna call me. I keep thinking they’re gonna crunch the numbers and think, oh, we can make money with this! And they don’t.

I keep thinking they’re gonna call me. I keep thinking they’re gonna crunch the numbers and think, oh, we can make money with this! And they don’t.

Joss Whedon
Vampire Willow:

Vampire Willow: "Bored now.

Joss Whedon
That wouldn't be a first, now would it?

That wouldn't be a first, now would it?" "Jean." "Jean Grey is dead, Agent." "Yeah, that'll last.

Joss Whedon
I don't think that I can change the world, I just want to punch it up a little.

I don't think that I can change the world, I just want to punch it up a little.

Joss Whedon
Angel, when I look into the future, all I see is you! All I want is you.

I know the feeling.

Angel, when I look into the future, all I see is you! All I want is you. I know the feeling.

Joss Whedon
I walk. I talk. I shop. I sneeze. I'm gonna be a fireman when the floods roll back. There's trees in the desert since you moved out, and I don't sleep on a bed of bones.

I walk. I talk. I shop. I sneeze. I'm gonna be a fireman when the floods roll back. There's trees in the desert since you moved out, and I don't sleep on a bed of bones.

Joss Whedon
Lockheed! You found me! You are the best X-Dragon ever.

Lockheed! You found me! You are the best X-Dragon ever.

Joss Whedon
Because obsession is the thing in us that makes us not everybody else.

Because obsession is the thing in us that makes us not everybody else.

Joss Whedon
Everything I do in its essence is about helplessness. That's the story I want to tell all the time. It's the story I wanted to live - somebody who appears to be, or is, weak becoming stronger.

Everything I do in its essence is about helplessness. That's the story I want to tell all the time. It's the story I wanted to live - somebody who appears to be, or is, weak becoming stronger.

Joss Whedon
That all you got...Bub?

That all you got...Bub?

Joss Whedon
She's terse. I can be terse. Once, in flight school, I was laconic.

She's terse. I can be terse. Once, in flight school, I was laconic.

Joss Whedon
I am a leaf on the wind - watch how I soar

I am a leaf on the wind - watch how I soar

Joss Whedon
Okay. So...serious wedgie...

Okay. So...serious wedgie...

Joss Whedon
It is good to know, no matter how long I am gone...you do not grow up too much.

It is good to know, no matter how long I am gone...you do not grow up too much.

Joss Whedon
River Tam (Summer Glau): No power in the 'verse can stop me.

River Tam (Summer Glau): No power in the 'verse can stop me.

Joss Whedon