--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've never walked off stage and said, I…" description: "\"I've never walked off stage and said, I shouldn't have done that. Because when you do what I do, you're like a fighter. You throw the right hand and sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/don-rickles-1705_dance_i-ve-never-walked-off-stage-and-said-i-s_1413258.png" --- # I've never walked off stage and said, I shouldn't have… ![“I've never walked off stage and said, I shouldn't have done that. Because when you do what I do, you're like a fighter. You throw the right hand and say, That's what got me to this dance. You can't have doubt. If you have doubt, there's no show.” quote by Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/don-rickles-1705_dance_i-ve-never-walked-off-stage-and-said-i-s_1413258.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/don-rickles-1705_dance_i-ve-never-walked-off-stage-and-said-i-s_1413258.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/don-rickles-1705_dance_i-ve-never-walked-off-stage-and-said-i-s_1413258.png) > “I've never walked off stage and said, I shouldn't have done that. Because when you do what I do, you're like a fighter. You throw the right hand and say, That's what got me to this dance. You can't have doubt. If you have doubt, there's no show.” [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Confidence on stage requires eliminating self‑doubt; treating performance like a fight fuels bold action. **In simple terms:** No doubt, just act. Key Takeaway Act boldly, silence doubt. Themes confidence performance mindset Mood energized determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - theater - sports competition - live broadcasting - personal challenges Key Concepts self‑belief risk‑taking Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn nervous energy into performance power? - What rituals help you stay doubt‑free? A Different Perspective Even with confidence, fear can still surface and affect delivery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Fighter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) ## Related quotes > [Lucy Lawless presented a couple of the awards. And, when I walked off the stage with her after one of them, she said "Oh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ladyhawke/lucy-lawless-presented-a-couple-of-the-awards-and-when-i-walked-off/) [Ladyhawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ladyhawke/) > [You know how a fighter always comes into the dressing room way before a fight? That's me - I'm like a fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/you-know-how-a-fighter-always-comes-into-the-dressing-room-way-before/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [Why should I retire? I'm like a fighter. The bell rings, and you come out and fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/why-should-i-retire-i-m-like-a-fighter-the-bell-rings-and-you-come/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [“I dreamt of going on the stage once," he said, looking crestfallen. "It's never too late," I said vaguely. A lie, of course, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-atkinson/i-dreamt-of-going-on-the-stage-once-he-said-looking-crestfallen-it-s/) [Kate Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-atkinson/) > [When I saw Paul Scofield do Loves Labors Lost at Stratford, thats when I saw the potential of the level of truth that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/when-i-saw-paul-scofield-do-loves-labors-lost-at-stratford-thats-when/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [When I saw Paul Scofield do 'Love's Labor's Lost at Stratford,' that's when I saw the potential of the level of truth that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/when-i-saw-paul-scofield-do-love-s-labor-s-lost-at-stratford-that-s/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [A friend asked me once, 'Are you worried about getting an erection on stage?' I said, 'No, that would be great!' Rather the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/a-friend-asked-me-once-are-you-worried-about-getting-an-erection-on/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [“So, what were you about to do that day, then? Float away or something?” “No.” He looked up from the ground and smiled. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-m-hudson/so-what-were-you-about-to-do-that-day-then-float-away-or-something-no/) [A.M. Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-m-hudson/) > [“Just humor me for a few more minutes at least... You are hands-down, the most gorgeous woman here tonight. Or probably anywhere, for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-matthews/just-humor-me-for-a-few-more-minutes-at-least-you-are-hands-down-the/) [R. Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-matthews/) > [I would rather be having a burger and beers with my mates but I can't do that when I know I've got to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-flatley/i-would-rather-be-having-a-burger-and-beers-with-my-mates-but-i-can-t/) [Michael Flatley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-flatley/) > [We all got up to dance. Oh, but we never got the chance!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/we-all-got-up-to-dance-oh-but-we-never-got-the-chance/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [“You got to dance, even when there ain't no music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-lane-mcneal/you-got-to-dance-even-when-there-ain-t-no-music/) Laura Lane McNeal > [You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never going to hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ve-got-to-dance-like-nobody-s-watching-and-love-like-it-s-never/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You’ve got to sing like you don’t need the money, Love like you’ll never get hurt. You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watchin’.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-leigh/you-ve-got-to-sing-like-you-don-t-need-the-money-love-like-you-ll/) Richard Leigh > [“If you've got nothing to dance about, find a reason to sing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-carstairs/if-you-ve-got-nothing-to-dance-about-find-a-reason-to-sing/) [Melody Carstairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-carstairs/) ## More by Don Rickles > [I don't drink much anymore, but when I traveled with Frank Sinatra, God rest his soul, I used to drink like I could do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-drink-much-anymore-but-when-i-traveled-with-frank-sinatra-god/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [They always use the word 'insult' with me, but I don't hurt anybody. I wouldn't be sitting here if I did. I make fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/they-always-use-the-word-insult-with-me-but-i-don-t-hurt-anybody-i/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [I don't do impressions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-do-impressions/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [I have a problem, if the light goes on on TV and it blinks midnight, I don't know how to fix it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-have-a-problem-if-the-light-goes-on-on-tv-and-it-blinks-midnight-i/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [To my knowledge, I was the first guy really to do what I do. And then later on different comedians started trying doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/to-my-knowledge-i-was-the-first-guy-really-to-do-what-i-do-and-then/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [If something strikes me as funny, I'll put it in my performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/if-something-strikes-me-as-funny-i-ll-put-it-in-my-performance/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [Famous people are deceptive. Deep down, they're just regular people. Like Larry King. We've been friends for forty years. He's one of the few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/famous-people-are-deceptive-deep-down-they-re-just-regular-people/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [It takes many years to be a great comedian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/it-takes-many-years-to-be-a-great-comedian/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [I don't like to compare myself with anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-like-to-compare-myself-with-anybody/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [Now when I'm not working, I don't really hang out with the young comics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/now-when-i-m-not-working-i-don-t-really-hang-out-with-the-young-comics/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [To this day, when I say that I went to the American Academy, people are very impressed. The reputation of the school has always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/to-this-day-when-i-say-that-i-went-to-the-american-academy-people-are/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [In our day we went from - we went into saloons. We couldn't cross over like you can today, get a television series and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/in-our-day-we-went-from-we-went-into-saloons-we-couldn-t-cross-over/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [ I don't get into politics. I know \[Donald\] Trump, but I don't follow that. That's just an aside for him when he has nothing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-don-t-get-into-politics-i-know-donald-trump-but-i-don-t-follow-that/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [I was always the guy who made jokes and ribbed people at parties. After I went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-was-always-the-guy-who-made-jokes-and-ribbed-people-at-parties/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [When I walk down the street in New York, I swear to God, the building constructor, the guy pounding cement and what not, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/when-i-walk-down-the-street-in-new-york-i-swear-to-god-the-building/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) [Explore all 214 Don Rickles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) ## More Dance quotes > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I make dance music because I love to dance. But I want to think at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-make-dance-music-because-i-love-to-dance-but-i-want-to-think-at-the/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [I studied all kinds of dance, all types of music. I got good grades. I started hitting the recording studio around 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-derulo/i-studied-all-kinds-of-dance-all-types-of-music-i-got-good-grades-i/) [Jason Derulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-derulo/) > [I like Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I love pop music, but I also like Sam Smith's slow songs. That would be more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maddie-ziegler/i-like-sam-smith-and-taylor-swift-i-love-pop-music-but-i-also-like/) [Maddie Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maddie-ziegler/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings. The abstraction of many moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-ailey/everything-in-dancing-is-style-allusion-the-essence-of-many-thoughts/) [Alvin Ailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-ailey/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [My body was so instrumental to how I took pictures: it was practically a dance. I used to use my legs a lot; now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-body-was-so-instrumental-to-how-i-took-pictures-it-was-practically/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-dunham/if-you-dance-you-dance-because-you-have-to-every-dancer-hurts-you-know/) [Katherine Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-dunham/) > [I'm not a dancer. Never took a dance class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrishell-stause/i-m-not-a-dancer-never-took-a-dance-class/) [Chrishell Stause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrishell-stause/) > [Being fit is the easiest part of being a dance professional. I used to just throw on a backpack full of rocks and run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-du-beke/being-fit-is-the-easiest-part-of-being-a-dance-professional-i-used-to/) [Anton du Beke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-du-beke/) > [I'm a horrible dancer, but I wanted to record songs that made me want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/i-m-a-horrible-dancer-but-i-wanted-to-record-songs-that-made-me-want/) [Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/) [Browse all 9,682 Dance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've never walked off stage and said, I shouldn't have done that. 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