14 Awesome and Inspiring Tom Hiddleston Quotes

Sure, he's got a background in theater and starred in prestige pics like War Horse and Midnight in Paris. But it was the super-sized blockbusters Thor and The Avengers that brought Tom Hiddleston global fame, thanks to his dangerously fun turn as the villainous Loki. While the world goes wild for all things God of Mischief, Hiddleston has proven just as charismatic off screen. But he uses his charm for good: Not only is he an outspoken activist for equality and a UNICEF ambassador, but also he regularly uses press ops and Twitter to promote self-acceptance, risk-taking, and living life to the fullest. Here are a few choice quotes.

1. On taking on challenges:

"I never get afraid of things; I only get excited."

— From a 2012 interview with About Entertainment

2. On following your dreams:

3. On following your dreams, part 2:

"Never stop fighting. Never stop dreaming. And don't be afraid of wearing your heart on your sleeve … For myself, for a long time ... maybe I felt inauthentic or something, I felt like my voice wasn't worth hearing. And I think everyone's voice is worth hearing. So if you've got something to say, say it from the rooftops."

— From a June 2011 interview with Into Film Shorts

4. On ambition:

"Complacency is the enemy."

— From a November 2012 interview with GQ

5. On redemption:

"I don’t think anyone, until their soul leaves their body, is past the point of no return."

— From a May 2012 interview with Cinema Blend

6. On living for the moment:

"Every day is a creative act: a step closer to becoming who you want to be."

— From his 2013 UNICEF field diary

7. On learning to make the best of every day:

"Maybe it's just getting older, you become so palpably aware this is not a dress rehearsal. There's a big sign in blazing neon that says 'You Haven't Got Long.' But I think it takes a beat to learn that. Life has to knock you down in order for you to realize it, because when you're a kid you think you're immortal."

— From a November 2013 interview with GQ

8. On activism:

"We are all responsible for the state of our world. The world—and the system by which we trade, share, cooperate and conflict—is clearly not working. We are only as strong as our weakest members."

— From his 2013 UNICEF field diary

9. On sexual orientation:

"I feel very proud that I’ve grown up as part of a generation that simply doesn’t make a distinction between gay and straight really … It’s like, ‘Oh. So you like strawberry ice cream and you like vanilla ice cream.’ It’s all good. It’s all ice cream."

— From an August 2013 interview with The Backlot

10. On Bullies:

11. On haters, Loki included:

"Haters never win. I just think that’s true about life, because negative energy always costs in the end."

— From a May 2012 interview with Fandango.

12. On gratitude:

"Life is generally pretty damn amazing if you let it be."

— From a November 2011 MTV interview.

13. On taking chances:

"If you risk failure, then you also risk success."

— From a November 2013 interview with GQ

14. On delayed gratification:

"Didn't it taste better for waiting?"

— From a September 2013 episode of Sesame Street