--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The thing I have always tried to do is…" description: "\"The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.\" — Christopher Lee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg" --- # The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to… ![“The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.” quote by Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg) > “The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.” [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Surprising others involves offering the unexpected, sparking curiosity and delight **In simple terms:** Surprise by giving the unexpected Key Takeaway Delight in surprise Themes creativity unexpectedness joy Mood playful energetic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - marketing - performance - daily interactions Key Concepts novelty entertainment personal expression Questions to Reflect On - When have you surprised someone successfully? - What fear holds you back from being unexpected? A Different Perspective Surprise can risk disappointment ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Didn Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-expect/) [Expect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expect/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Surprise People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise-people-1174921/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Thing Tried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-tried-252917/) [Tried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tried/) [Tried Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tried-surprise-3760918/) ## Related quotes > [“In quick succession he tried surprise, toughness and nonchalance but nothing lasted and the end result was only uncertainty”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-grainger/in-quick-succession-he-tried-surprise-toughness-and-nonchalance-but/) [Peter Grainger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-grainger/) > [The United States abd usually be reiled on to do the right thing, but only after they have tried all the other alternatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-united-states-abd-usually-be-reiled-on-to-do-the-right-thing-but/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The one thing I have always tried to get across is what you see is what you get. This is me, like it or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronan-keating/the-one-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-get-across-is-what-you-see-is/) [Ronan Keating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronan-keating/) > [I remember when I first met God. An experience that no words can express. Better than any other thing I tried out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-remember-when-i-first-met-god-an-experience-that-no-words-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Christianity might be a good thing if anyone ever tried it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/christianity-might-be-a-good-thing-if-anyone-ever-tried-it/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [An apple is an excellent thing -- until you have tried a peach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-du-maurier/an-apple-is-an-excellent-thing-until-you-have-tried-a-peach/) [George du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-du-maurier/) > [Living in the 'Bigg Boss' house is a roller-coaster ride. I didn't expect to reach the finals. But I was sure that I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hina-khan/living-in-the-bigg-boss-house-is-a-roller-coaster-ride-i-didn-t/) [Hina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hina-khan/) > [I wanted to make a place for filmmakers and artists to come and 'do their stuff,' but I didn't expect it to have had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-anderson/i-wanted-to-make-a-place-for-filmmakers-and-artists-to-come-and-do/) [Tom Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-anderson/) > [I didn't expect to get it at all. I just went along to the audition for the experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dannii-minogue/i-didn-t-expect-to-get-it-at-all-i-just-went-along-to-the-audition/) [Dannii Minogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dannii-minogue/) > [I didn't expect people would embrace 'Ang Probinsyano' the way they did during its first year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-martin/i-didn-t-expect-people-would-embrace-ang-probinsyano-the-way-they-did/) [Coco Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-martin/) > [I didn't expect I will get the Arjuna at 18 years. I thought 19.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/i-didn-t-expect-i-will-get-the-arjuna-at-18-years-i-thought-19/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [Paulinho will surprise many people. If he does not fit at Barca, he would at Atletico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filipe-luis/paulinho-will-surprise-many-people-if-he-does-not-fit-at-barca-he/) [Filipe Luis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filipe-luis/) > [What was so lovely about 'O.J.' and 'This Is Us' to a certain extent is that I got a chance to surprise people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/what-was-so-lovely-about-o-j-and-this-is-us-to-a-certain-extent-is/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [The essence of comedy, drama, and horror is surprise. I have an uncanny ability to surprise people because they look at my face, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lithgow/the-essence-of-comedy-drama-and-horror-is-surprise-i-have-an-uncanny/) [John Lithgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lithgow/) > [That's always the biggest surprise when people meet me: how buoyant I am and how fun and light I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-davis/that-s-always-the-biggest-surprise-when-people-meet-me-how-buoyant-i/) [Viola Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-davis/) ## More by Christopher Lee > [I was once asked what I thought was the most disquieting thing you could see on the screen and I said, 'an open door.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-was-once-asked-what-i-thought-was-the-most-disquieting-thing-you/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I've been for 10 years trying to make something out of my life as an actor. I've learned a lot but I haven't done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-ve-been-for-10-years-trying-to-make-something-out-of-my-life-as-an/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I stopped appearing as Dracula in 1972 because in my opinion the presentation of the character had deteriorated to such an extent, particularly bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-stopped-appearing-as-dracula-in-1972-because-in-my-opinion-the/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I haven't spent my entire career playing the guy in the bad hat, although I have to say that the bad guy is frequently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-haven-t-spent-my-entire-career-playing-the-guy-in-the-bad-hat/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [As far as I am concerned, Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I know. Single handed, he is trying to change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/as-far-as-i-am-concerned-don-quixote-is-the-most-metal-fictional/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > ['The Impossible Dream' is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever written. Here is a man, an old man, a very old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/the-impossible-dream-is-in-my-opinion-one-of-the-greatest-songs-ever/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [Films are now made by accountants. They pick a pretty young female or male face out of the air and give them a part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/films-are-now-made-by-accountants-they-pick-a-pretty-young-female-or/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I lived for 10 years in Los Angeles, and the one element that surpasses everything else - that you are very conscious of -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-lived-for-10-years-in-los-angeles-and-the-one-element-that/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I think that - apart from the fields of science and medicine - we live in an age of decline. Look at the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-think-that-apart-from-the-fields-of-science-and-medicine-we-live-in/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [Every actor has to make terrible films from time to time, but the trick is never to be terrible in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/every-actor-has-to-make-terrible-films-from-time-to-time-but-the/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I love Chicago. It is my new favorite city. It is the perfect place to do any kind of theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-love-chicago-it-is-my-new-favorite-city-it-is-the-perfect-place-to/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [Not every Hammer film was perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/not-every-hammer-film-was-perfect/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [When the Second World War finished, I was 23 and already I had seen enough horror to last me a lifetime. I'd seen dreadful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/when-the-second-world-war-finished-i-was-23-and-already-i-had-seen/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [I associate heavy metal with fantasy because of the tremendous power that the music delivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/i-associate-heavy-metal-with-fantasy-because-of-the-tremendous-power/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) > [Someone asked me yesterday if Dracula met Saruman and there was a fight, who would win. I just looked at this man. What an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/someone-asked-me-yesterday-if-dracula-met-saruman-and-there-was-a/) [Christopher Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) [Explore all 75 Christopher Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christopher Lee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-surprise-people-to-present/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-surprise-people-to-present/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b46/christopher-lee-9093_always_the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-s_3094239.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The thing I have always tried to do is surprise people: to present them with something they didn't expect.” — Christopher Lee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Lee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The thing I have always tried...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-surprise-people-to-present/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lee/the-thing-i-have-always-tried-to-do-is-surprise-people-to-present/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```