:: "Perhaps I'm not a good actor, but I would be even worse at doing anything else."

:: "There's one major difference between James Bond and me! He is able to sort out problems!"

:: "People used to call me Bond in the street. It was impossible to avoid crowds of people all over the place and blinding flashguns. The Beatles had to run the gauntlet as well, but at least there were four of them!"

:: "As far as I'm concerned, Bond is over and done with. You need a younger actor now, about thirty-five - Mel Gibson perhaps . . ."

:: "I was in "Zardoz". I took over from Burt Reynolds who, I think, took ill after reading the script."

:: "I met my wife through playing golf. She is French and couldn't speak English and I couldn't speak French, so there was little chance of us getting involved in any boring conversations - that's why we got married really quickly."

:: "You know, the Oscar I was awarded for "The Untouchables" is a wonderful thing, but I haven't changed and I can honestly say that I'd rather have won the US Open Golf Tournament."

:: "I originally thought of giving the Oscar statuette to my wife, but then I found out I could get more than $15,000 for it!"

:: "I am not an Englishman, I was never an Englishman, and I don't ever want to be one. I am a Scotsman! I was a Scotsman and I will always be one."

:: "Love may not make the world go round, but I must admit that it makes the ride worthwhile."

:: "I was called Sean long before I was an actor," [Connery] said in a 1964 interview. 'I had an Irish buddy when I was twelve named Seamus -- 'pronounced Sha-mus'. So they nicknamed us Seamus and Shawn and it stuck."

:: "I never disliked Bond, as some have thought. Creating a character like that does take a certain craft. It's simply natural to seek other roles."

:: "More than anything else, I'd like to be an old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or Picasso."

:: "I've honestly not been too aware of my age until I went to the doctor for a full check-up. He said I had the heart of a young man - 'but you're not young, you're 40."

:: "I have a great respect for money. I know how hard it is to earn and keep, especially with our diabolical taxes in Britain. I never get over the fact that sometimes I see more money being paid for a meal than my father earned in a week."

:: "There is nothing like a challenge to bring out the best in man."

:: "I care about Bond and what happens to him. You cannot be connected with a character for this long and not have an interest ... All the Bond films had their good points."

:: "I like woman. I don't understand them, but I like them."

:: "I've been very fortunate and have never had any real problems with people. But I've also had the guts to tell them, 'you're a bore'."

:: "There's nothing I like better than a film that really works, provided you don't have to deal with all the shit that comes afterwards in terms of getting what you're entitled to."

:: "I've stayed friends with most directors I've worked with, and I never have a problem with any other actors, unless they're assholes."

:: "I've always loved woman. Blonde, brunette, but preferably foreign. They're more attractive than Britons."

:: "If America had been discovered as many times as I have, no one would remember Columbus."

:: "My view is that to get anywhere in life you have to be anti-social, otherwise you'll end up being devoured. I've never been particulary social, anyway, but if I've ever been rude, fifty per cent of it has usually been provoked by other people's attitudes. Though I do admit, like most Celts, I'm moody. It's fine until people try to cheer you up with gems like, 'snap out of it' or 'Come on, now'."

:: "The world revolves around sex. But that doesn't mean that youngsters should sleep around willynilly. I'm all for trial marriages. The wedding of two virgins starts off with a huge handicap."

:: "I remember when you didn't call the doctor to your house but went and sat in a freezing waiting room instead, because calling the doctor out cost fifteen bob. I'm still not entirely used to having money. I still go around the house putting out all the unused lights."

:: "I admit I'm being paid well, but it's no more than I deserve. After all, I've been screwed more times than a hooker."

:: "My own guide is always what I find interesting. If it's something that makes me think: 'I'd like to see this' then that's the yardstick I apply. Obviously that doesn't satisfy everybody."

:: "There's nothing wrong with a little anxiety to keep people on their toes. But anybody who's professional has no problems with me." 

:: "I can't afford to slow down, but I suppose it really depends. As long as there's enough enthusiasm, then one wants to continue." 

:: "I have no shortage of material or offers, it's just a case of what you select to do. But I think it's realistic that my chances of playing Romeo are now over."