“To Sir, with Love II” quotes

“To a considerable extent, we control how we are perceived.”
Sir Sidney Poitier - Mark Thackeray

“Who are you? Do you see you the way you want to be seen? Then you must see character in yourself, discipline in yourself, determination in yourself - to survive - with dignity, no matter how tough the world around you is. Is that who you are? If not, is that who you want to be?”

Sir Sidney Poitier - Mark Thackeray

“- Student: In this country you're nothin'. It doesn't matter how many schools you teach in... you and me, we walk down the street and all people are gonna see is black skin.
- Mark Thackeray: What do you want them to see?
- Student: Me.”
Sir Sidney Poitier - Mark Thackeray

“- Student: You run off to England and you teach in some school and you really think you're something, don't you?
- Mark Thackeray: I am something - everyone is.”
Sir Sidney Poitier - Mark Thackeray

When we address someone with respect, we are more often than likely to get respect - not always, but more often than you think, and if you're smart, that ought to be enough. Common courtesy - "please", "thank you", "excuse me"... magical words, magical words.
Sir Sidney Poitier - Mark Thackeray