--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play…" description: "\"'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.\" — Harry Dean Stanton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg" --- # 'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and… ![“'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.” quote by Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg) > “'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.” [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Playing compassion in 'Paris, Texas' allowed him to embody empathy deeply **In simple terms:** He used the role to express deep compassion Key Takeaway Embrace empathy in creative work Themes compassion acting film Mood introspective artistic Type cinematic philosophical When to use this quote - acting workshops - film analysis - personal reflection Key Concepts method acting emotional expression artistic authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How does portraying compassion affect personal behavior? - Can art teach empathy? A Different Perspective Acting may not translate to real life empathy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Spelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-spelling-2841138/) [Gave Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-chance/) [Paris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paris/) [Paris Texas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paris-texas-2698066/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-compassion-1867508/) [Texas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/texas/) ## Related quotes > [If I never did another film after 'Paris, Texas,' I'd be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/if-i-never-did-another-film-after-paris-texas-i-d-be-happy/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I like to watch 'Paris, Texas,' but I have no desire to see it. I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-like-to-watch-paris-texas-but-i-have-no-desire-to-see-it-i-did-it/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > ['Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared about, the first movie I totally wanted to do - and that after 27…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve-totally-cared-about-the-first/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I'm from Paris, Texas, okay! I remember looking up and just dreaming to one day make it on an airplane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/i-m-from-paris-texas-okay-i-remember-looking-up-and-just-dreaming-to/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [It is one thing to be a virtuoso, but a different thing to play with compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-iyer/it-is-one-thing-to-be-a-virtuoso-but-a-different-thing-to-play-with/) [Vijay Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-iyer/) > [My favorite films are 'Paris, Texas' and 'Repo Man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/my-favorite-films-are-paris-texas-and-repo-man/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I made it from Paris, Texas, to Paris on the Strip. Who else can say that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/i-made-it-from-paris-texas-to-paris-on-the-strip-who-else-can-say-that/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [I grew up as a little gay boy in Paris, Texas, which was a very conservative community and I had a strong religious background…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/i-grew-up-as-a-little-gay-boy-in-paris-texas-which-was-a-very/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [I once found myself in Paris, Texas, possibly the most curious juxtaposition of place names in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/i-once-found-myself-in-paris-texas-possibly-the-most-curious/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [He reclined on a delightfully cushioned lounge in the sprawling ranch Paris had rented. In Dallas, Texas, of all places. Promiscuity had decked himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/he-reclined-on-a-delightfully-cushioned-lounge-in-the-sprawling-ranch/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [When Tuchel gave me a chance, I had so much motivation that I was never going back to the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-rudiger/when-tuchel-gave-me-a-chance-i-had-so-much-motivation-that-i-was/) [Antonio Rudiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-rudiger/) > [I'm not too proud of the movies I made as a grownup except for 'That Hagen Girl', which nobody remembers but which gave me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-temple/i-m-not-too-proud-of-the-movies-i-made-as-a-grownup-except-for-that/) [Shirley Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-temple/) > [The real is on the rise f-ck them other guys…I even gave them a chance to decide..Now its something they know...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/the-real-is-on-the-rise-f-ck-them-other-guys-i-even-gave-them-a/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [I turned down more offers to be Jack Paar or Johnny Carson or Steve Allen before the people on the 'Donna Reed Show' gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-crane/i-turned-down-more-offers-to-be-jack-paar-or-johnny-carson-or-steve/) [Bob Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-crane/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) ## More by Harry Dean Stanton > [Fame in itself is, you know... It involves a whole discussion on just that word, 'fame.' It's a power; it's another degree of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/fame-in-itself-is-you-know-it-involves-a-whole-discussion-on-just/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I watch television. Game shows - I hate the hosts and the people on them, and I love the questions and the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-watch-television-game-shows-i-hate-the-hosts-and-the-people-on-them/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I was singing the blues when I was six. Kind of sad, eh?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-was-singing-the-blues-when-i-was-six-kind-of-sad-eh/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I never liked being ordered around - which, of course, was an overreaction. I eventually found out that I didn't mind being ordered around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-never-liked-being-ordered-around-which-of-course-was-an/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I've never been ambitious about recording](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-ve-never-been-ambitious-about-recording/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I know little stories that happen to people around me, and I can repeat that in a way that has some color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-know-little-stories-that-happen-to-people-around-me-and-i-can/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I worked with the best directors - Martin Scorsese, John Huston, David Lynch, Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock was great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-worked-with-the-best-directors-martin-scorsese-john-huston-david/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [The first film I ever remember - I think my mother took me to it - was called 'She Married Her Boss' with Melvyn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/the-first-film-i-ever-remember-i-think-my-mother-took-me-to-it-was/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [The band I've played with for 10 or 12 years now, we've been all over, but we mostly play in LA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/the-band-i-ve-played-with-for-10-or-12-years-now-we-ve-been-all-over/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [When man began to think he was a separate person with a separate soul, it created a violent situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/when-man-began-to-think-he-was-a-separate-person-with-a-separate-soul/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I was the classic killer. I always played an angry man. I think it was because I used to really be like that -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-was-the-classic-killer-i-always-played-an-angry-man-i-think-it-was/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I like to watch 'Paris, Texas,' but I have no desire to see it. I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-like-to-watch-paris-texas-but-i-have-no-desire-to-see-it-i-did-it/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I would've preferred to blossom earlier in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-would-ve-preferred-to-blossom-earlier-in-life/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I do the same series of five exercises 21 times each day - an ancient Tibetan practice that stimulates your chakras.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-do-the-same-series-of-five-exercises-21-times-each-day-an-ancient/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I've never seen a Western that was really truthful. Most are just morality plays. Good guys and bad guys - and the good guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-ve-never-seen-a-western-that-was-really-truthful-most-are-just/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) [Explore all 116 Harry Dean Stanton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) [Alejandro Taubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-taubas/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harry Dean Stanton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-compassion-and-i-m-spelling-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-compassion-and-i-m-spelling-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a4/harry-dean-stanton-4043_chance_paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-com_1093820.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.” — Harry Dean Stanton", "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": "Harry Dean Stanton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "'Paris, Texas' gave me a chance...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-compassion-and-i-m-spelling-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-compassion-and-i-m-spelling-that/#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 } } ] } ```