Tevye quotes
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[Opening lines] A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask, why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous? Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: Tradition!
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[to God] You made many many poor people, I realize of course it's no shame to be poor, but it's no great honor either. Now what would be so terrible if I had a small fortune?
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You may ask, how did this tradition get started? I'll tell you. I don't know.
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Because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.
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Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!
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As the good book says, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face.
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[to God] I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?
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[to God] Sometimes I wonder, when it gets too quiet up there, if You are thinking, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?"
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[to Chava] As the good book says "Each shall seek his own kind". In other words a bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?
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When I get angry, even flies don't dare to fly!
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[to God] It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. After all, with Your help, I'm starving to death.
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[to God] As the good book says... aaahh, why should I tell You what the good book says?
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[Last lines] All right, children. Let's go.