Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a classic novel and movie, filled with quotes that explore themes of love, individuality, and the human yearning for connection.
Through the character of Holly Golightly, these quotes reflect a thin balance between vulnerability and freedom, materialism, and emotional depth.
The quotes capture the meaning of navigating the intricacies of relationships, self-discovery, and societal expectations
Top Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, both the novella by Truman Capote and the film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn, is packed with memorable lines that capture the essence of its characters and themes. Here are some of the most iconic quotes:
“You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you’re terrified somebody’s gonna stick you in a cage—well, baby, you’re already in that cage.” – Truman Capote
“It’s better to look at the sky than live there. Such an empty place; so vague.” – Truman Capote
“I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“We don’t belong to each other: he’s an independent, and so am I.” – Holly Golightly
“If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name.” – Holly Golightly
“You can make yourself love anybody.” – Truman Capote
“Never love a wild thing. You’ll end up looking at the sky.” – Holly Golightly
“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.” – Holly Golightly
“I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.” – Holly Golightly
“Promise me one thing: don’t take me home until I’m drunk—very drunk indeed.” – Holly Golightly
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Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Love and Romance
Breakfast at Tiffany’s explores love in unconventional ways, particularly through the character of Holly Golightly, whose independent spirit clashes with her desire for connection. Here are some insightful quotes about love and romance from the story:
“But you can’t give your heart to a wild thing: the more you do, the stronger they get, until they’re strong enough to run into the woods.” – Holly Golightly
“Love should be allowed. I’m all for it. Now that I’ve got a pretty good idea what it is.” – Holly Golightly
“We don’t belong to each other: he’s an independent, and so am I.” – Holly Golightly
“I told you: you can make yourself love anybody.” – Holly Golightly
“I loved her enough to forget myself, my self-pitying despairs, and be content that something she thought happy was going to happen.” – Truman Capote
“If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name.” – Holly Golightly
“She isn’t a phony because she’s a real phony. She believes all this crap she believes.” – Truman Capote
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Identity and Self-Discovery
In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Holly Golightly’s journey reflects a deep exploration of identity and self-discovery. She is constantly reinventing herself, trying to find where she fits in the world, a theme that resonates with many. Here are some iconic quotes that showcase this theme:
“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m like cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us.” – Paul Varjak
“It’s better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody.” – Holly Golightly
“You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you’re terrified somebody’s gonna stick you in a cage—well, baby, you’re already in that cage.” – Paul Varjak
“I don’t want to put you in a cage, I want to love you.” – Paul Varjak
“I’m just crazy about Tiffany’s!” – Holly Golightly
“You’re wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from human relationships.” – Paul Varjak
“People don’t belong to people.” – Holly Golightly
“Never cry in front of someone who isn’t strong enough to catch your tears.” – Holly Golightly
“I love New York, even though it isn’t mine.” – Holly Golightly
These quotes show Holly’s struggle with belonging, love, and finding a sense of self in the midst of her free-spirited lifestyle. Her character challenges societal norms, representing the search for personal identity and freedom.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Independence and Freedom
Holly Golightly embodies the desire for independence and freedom, avoiding attachment and resisting any form of confinement. Her perspective on life represents a free-spirited journey, avoiding ownership or deep personal commitments. These quotes delve into that theme:
“We don’t belong to each other: he’s an independent, and so am I.” – Holly Golightly
“Never love a wild thing. The more you do, the stronger they get.” – Holly Golightly
“I’ll never let anyone put me in a cage.” – Holly Golightly
“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.” – Holly Golightly
“People don’t belong to people.” – Holly Golightly
“You can’t give your heart to a wild thing.” – Holly Golightly
“It’s better to look at the sky than live there. Such an empty place; so vague.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m very scared, Buster. Yes, at last. Because it could go on forever. Not knowing what’s yours until you’ve thrown it away.” – Holly Golightly
“A girl doesn’t read this sort of thing without her lipstick.” – Holly Golightly
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Loneliness and Isolation
Breakfast at Tiffany’s delves into themes of loneliness and isolation, particularly through the character of Holly Golightly. These quotes highlight her struggle with connection and her feelings of being adrift in the world.
“You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you’re terrified somebody’s gonna stick you in a cage. Well, baby, you’re already in that cage. You built it yourself.” – Paul Varjak
“It’s better to look at the sky than live there. Such an empty place; so vague.” – Holly Golightly
“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.” – Holly Golightly
“We don’t belong to each other: he’s an independent, and so am I.” – Holly Golightly
“I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.” – Holly Golightly
“The mean reds are horrible. You’re afraid and you sweat like hell, but you don’t know what you’re afraid of.” – Holly Golightly
“You know those days when you get the mean reds?” – Holly Golightly
“You can make yourself love anybody.” – Holly Golightly
“Promise me one thing: don’t take me home until I’m drunk—very drunk indeed.” – Holly Golightly
“But you can’t give your heart to a wild thing: the more you do, the stronger they get, until they’re strong enough to run into the woods.” – Holly Golightly
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Materialism and Desire
Materialism and the pursuit of wealth are major themes in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Holly’s attachment to luxury and glamour reflects her deeper desires for security and belonging, often masking her emotional vulnerabilities.
“If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name.” – Holly Golightly
“I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“Never love a wild thing, Mr. Bell.” – Holly Golightly
“The average personality reshapes frequently, every few years even our bodies undergo a complete overhaul—desirable or not, it is a natural thing that we should change.” – Holly Golightly
“What I found does the most good is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“Listen, you know those days when you’ve got the mean reds?” – Holly Golightly
“But it’s better to look at the sky than live there.” – Holly Golightly
“It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.” – Holly Golightly
“Tiffany’s! Calm, cool, beautiful… a place where nothing very bad could happen.” – Holly Golightly
“People do fall in love. People do belong to each other, because that’s the only chance anybody’s got for real happiness.” – Paul Varjak
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Friendship and Connection
In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, friendship and connection are portrayed in a unique light through the character of Holly Golightly. Despite her free-spirited and independent nature, she often longs for meaningful connections, showing a more vulnerable side beneath her glamorous exterior.
“I’m like Cat here, a no-name slob. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us.” – Holly Golightly
“You can love somebody without it being like that. You keep them a stranger, a stranger who’s a friend.” – Holly Golightly
“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.” – Holly Golightly
“We don’t belong to each other: he’s an independent, and so am I.” – Holly Golightly
“Never love a wild thing. The more you do, the stronger they get, until they’re strong enough to run into the woods or fly into a tree.” – Holly Golightly
“Everybody has to feel superior to somebody, but it’s customary to present a little proof before you take the privilege.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m very scared, Buster. Yes, at last. Because it could go on forever. Not knowing what’s yours until you’ve thrown it away.” – Holly Golightly
“The only thing left behind was the sound of the small rock garden being kicked around by Holly’s heels.” – Narrator
“It may be normal, darling; but I’d rather be natural.” – Holly Golightly
“She isn’t a phony because she’s a real phony. She believes all this crap she believes.” – Paul Varjak
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Transformation and Change
Transformation and change are central themes in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Holly Golightly’s life is one of constant flux, as she seeks stability and happiness amidst the whirlwind of her ever-changing world.
“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.” – Holly Golightly
“The average personality reshapes frequently, every few years even our bodies undergo a complete overhaul—desirable or not, it is a natural thing that we should change.” – Holly Golightly
“It’s better to look at the sky than live there. Such an empty place; so vague.” – Holly Golightly
“I want to still be me when I wake up one fine morning and have breakfast at Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you’re terrified somebody’s gonna stick you in a cage. Well, baby, you’re already in that cage.” – Paul Varjak
“Sometimes, stopping there, I shared her wake-up coffee while she dressed for the evening. She was forever on her way out.” – Narrator
“Every day she’d walk a little further: a mile, and come home. Two miles, and come home. One day she just kept on.” – Narrator
“What I’ve found does the most good is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“It’s tacky to obsess about someone you can never have.” – Holly Golightly
“I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.” – Holly Golightly
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Vulnerability and Strength
Breakfast at Tiffany’s reflects the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, especially through Holly Golightly’s character. Here are ten quotes that showcase this contrast, revealing her internal struggle to maintain both emotional independence and her guarded strength:
“You call yourself a free spirit, a wild thing, and you’re terrified somebody’s gonna stick you in a cage. Well, baby, you’re already in that cage. You built it yourself.” – Paul Varjak
“But you can’t give your heart to a wild thing; the more you do, the stronger they get until they’re strong enough to run into the woods, or fly into a tree, or to the sky.” – Holly Golightly
“The mean reds are horrible. You’re afraid and you sweat like hell, but you don’t know what you’re afraid of.” – Holly Golightly
“Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot.” – Holly Golightly
“I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.” – Holly Golightly
“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.” – Holly Golightly
“I’ll never let anybody put me in a cage.” – Holly Golightly
“The blues are because you’re getting fat, or maybe it’s been raining too long. But the mean reds are something else. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m not Holly. I’m not Lula Mae either. I don’t know who I am!” – Holly Golightly
“You can make yourself love anybody.” – Holly Golightly
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Fear and Escapism
Holly Golightly frequently escapes her fears and anxieties by clinging to fantasies of luxury and materialism. Here are ten quotes that explore her relationship with fear and escapism:
“If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name.” – Holly Golightly
“The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there.” – Holly Golightly
“You know those days when you get the mean reds? The only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m not much good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.” – Holly Golightly
“When I get it, the only thing that does any good is to jump into a taxi and go to Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m like Cat here. We’re a couple of no-name slobs. We belong to nobody, and nobody belongs to us.” – Holly Golightly
“Promise me one thing: don’t take me home until I’m drunk—very drunk indeed.” – Holly Golightly
“It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it.” – Holly Golightly
“Nothing very bad could happen to you at Tiffany’s.” – Holly Golightly
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Hope and Dreams
Hope and dreams are central to Holly Golightly’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Her desires for a better life, independence, and personal fulfillment are expressed through her fantasies about Tiffany’s and the life she aspires to live. Here are ten quotes that reflect these themes:
“It’s better to look at the sky than live there. Such an empty place; so vague. Just a country where the thunder goes.” – Holly Golightly
“If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany’s, then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name.” – Holly Golightly
“Don’t wanna sleep, don’t wanna die, just wanna go a-travellin’ through the pastures of the sky.” – Holly Golightly
“Reading dreams. That’s what started her walking down the road. Every day she’d walk a little further: a mile, and come home. Two miles, and come home. One day she just kept on.” – Narrator
“I’ll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead.” – Holly Golightly
“Home is where you feel at home. I’m still looking.” – Holly Golightly
“I told you: you can make yourself love anybody.” – Holly Golightly
“Good luck, and believe me, dearest Doc – it’s better to look at the sky than live there.” – Holly Golightly
“She was still hugging the cat. ‘Poor slob,’ she said, tickling his head, ‘poor slob without a name.'” – Holly Golightly
“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together.” – Holly Golightly
These quotes highlight Holly’s pursuit of something more, a place where she can find peace, security, and her true self, symbolized by her attachment to Tiffany’s.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Quotes on Society and Expectations
Breakfast at Tiffany’s also explores societal expectations, particularly around wealth, identity, and relationships. Holly navigates the high society of New York, but her desire for freedom often clashes with the expectations placed upon her by others.
“Everybody has to feel superior to somebody, but it’s customary to present a little proof before you take the privilege.” – Holly Golightly
“It may be normal, darling; but I’d rather be natural.” – Holly Golightly
“You can love somebody without it being like that. You keep them a stranger, a stranger who’s a friend.” – Narrator
“A girl doesn’t read this sort of thing without her lipstick.” – Holly Golightly
“Never love a wild thing… If you let yourself love a wild thing, you’ll end up looking at the sky.” – Holly Golightly
“The answer is good things only happen to you if you’re good. Honest is more what I mean… Be anything but a coward, a pretender.” – Holly Golightly
“She isn’t a phony because she’s a real phony. She believes all this crap she believes.” – Narrator
“I loved her enough to forget myself, my self-pitying despairs, and be content that something she thought happy was going to happen.” – Paul Varjak
“We don’t belong to each other. He’s an independent, and so am I.” – Holly Golightly
“I’m very scared, Buster. Yes, at last. Because it could go on forever. Not knowing what’s yours until you’ve thrown it away.” – Holly Golightly
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Final Thoughts
The quotes from Breakfast at Tiffany’s still captivate audiences with their reflections on life, love, and personal development.
Holly Golightly’s journey of self-discovery, as well as her fear of commitment and longing for freedom, speaks to a familiar human experience.
These quotes are reminders of the importance of self-acceptance, the power of real connections, and the hope that, despite life’s challenges, dreams and fresh opportunities are not that far away.