"I can't remember who said this - I think maybe it was Robert Louis Stevensen.. but I can sort of relate to it, meandering through a film career or the arts in general without seeming to have a real deliberate plan 'To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive and the true success is in labor.' I like that 'To travel Hopefully' ."

"The reason there's so many problems with religion in this world is because people take literally what were symbolic elements. They all believe the same thing essentially and yet they're willing to die about the details. But religion, myth and fairytales need to be reinvented and those who manage to do that cleverly are the ones who are saving us from ourselves."

(When asked if he could have one wish in life fulfilled):
"To know, preferably before I do it, but certainly immediately as I do it, that I've insulted someone. Or offended someone. And I'd like a dignified exit from this line of work and from life in general. When I go, I'd like to go with some dignity and honor." - Viggo 1997

"For me, why I like poetry, or when I feel it works, it's because you potentially can provoke a lot of thought with a very limited space and carefully chosen words. To me, acting is the same. I like to refine something until it's saying what needs to be said, as economically and as direct as possible." - Viggo 1997

"You can't achieve perfection, obviously , but the goal that I have -which I guess is a goal that I have in life also, and it sounds trite- is to be happy, even if I'm playing a miserable character.." - Viggo 1995

" I take nothing for granted...I've arrived so many times I don't know where I went." - Viggo 1999

" I still can't get used to the fact that anybody would care about anything I had to say, and it's only a result of being in this or that movie that I'll be sitting their doing an interview." Viggo 1999

"Being a dad has kept me out of trouble and made me focus on the important things in life, which is of course my son. Henry has definitely given me some perspective.." - Viggo 1999

"I'm happiest when I'm in a changing enviroment. I find it hard to sit still.." Viggo 1999

"No matter how evil or strange the characters have been. I've never played someone I didn't like. I think that's partly the result of being exposed to lots of different kinds of people while growing up." - Viggo 1999

(About writing love poetry) "I have done that. I don't think I'll do it again. it scares people. They think you're insane.." - Viggo 1999

"I felt I had arrived when I saw a G.I Jane parody of me in Mad Magazine called G.I. Shame. My favorite part was the idea that the candidates were dropping out of the SEAL's not from the physical abuse but from my awful poetry readings." - Viggo 1998

(During filming of Portrait Of a Lady 1996):
"I said to Jane Campion (the producer) one day..See, I just figured out what the name of my character Casper Goodwood really means..Ghost of a hard-on."