"The most important thing in men is intelligence": 20 quotes by Brigitte Bardot about cinema, love, and animals

In late December, Brigitte Bardot, the sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s, actress, singer, model, and activist, passed away at the age of 91. She gained worldwide fame from Roger Vadim's film "And God Created Woman" (1956) and later starred in more than 50 films, including "Babette Goes to War" (1959), "The Truth" (1960), and "Contempt" (1963). In memory of the actress, we have gathered 20 of her quotes.

"Unlike many women, I have never been confident in myself. Perhaps because of these doubts or in spite of them, I became so brazen and rebellious."

"I have never regretted leaving cinema. Modern cinema reflects the picture of today's society. It is sad, bleak, vulgar, permeated with violence and indifference. Cinema no longer inspires dreams."

"A woman doesn’t have to be beautiful, but she must possess charm, elegance, and good taste."

"Happiness is like mercury in a barometer. Its level goes up and down. When it comes to the absolute, perfection, the ideal... You know that none of this exists!"

"The problem of man is in man! He respects nothing and no one, destroys everything. This is no longer a question of ecology, but a question of survival."

"I was born with a love for animals in my heart. But in childhood, I had no pets; there was a war, life in Paris was hard. That time left its mark on me—I cannot stand the sounds of fireworks and thunder; they remind me of bombings."

"It is easier to protect your virtue from men than your reputation from women."

"Songs are the most beautiful and sensual declaration of love one can imagine."

"Love can be not only a melody but also a cacophony."

"Thanks to cinema, I became famous. And this fame has wonderfully helped me to fight against the mistreatment of animals now."

"In men, in my opinion, the most important thing is intelligence, a sense of humor, attractiveness, depth, charm, and courage."

"I accept everything that nature gives me. I reject nothing and do not touch, change, or correct anything. And I have never thought about consulting a surgeon."

"I have thought about death many times when men left me. Love is a kind of oxygen. To live, I need a high love tension."

"It is better to be unfaithful than to be faithful against your will."

"Do you really think that when you lie in bed alone at night, the thought that half the world loves you can comfort you? Half the world is nothing."

"I do not care what people will think of me in the future. What happens now is much more important. After death, I will not care about others' opinions."

"A fur coat is a cemetery. A true woman will not wear a cemetery on herself."

"I gave my beauty and youth to men. Now I give my wisdom and experience—the best I have—to animals."

"Marriage is an agreement, the terms of which are reviewed and reaffirmed daily."

"I regret nothing in my life. Mature women cannot have regrets because maturity comes precisely when life has taught you everything."