Fred Rogers

Fred: There's a generous current in the American spirit. And if we can simply give voice to that once in a while, I think it's a good message.

Fred Rogers: I have really never considered myself a TV star. I always thought I was a neighbor who just came in for a visit.

Fred: Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Fred: We have to remember to whom the airwaves belong, and we must put as great an emphasis on the nurturing of the human personality as we can. I believe that those of us who are the producers and purveyors of television -- or video games or newspapers or any mass media -- I believe that we are the servants of this nation.

Fred: You know you don't have to be an actor when you read a book to a child. All you need is to simply love what you're reading. Even just enjoying the pictures together is a great start. When you share a book with a child, you're saying to them that books are important. That's a gift that can nurture them all through their lives.

Fred: I got into television because I hated it so. And I thought there's some way of using this fabulous instrument to nurture those who would watch and listen.

Fred: I think people who produce and perform on programs for children should have as a prerequisite some sort of course to understand their audience. You wouldn't put a newsman on the air who didn't know how to pronounce Vietnam. But we give millions of dollars to these people who are producing cartoons and they have no earthly idea of what they're doing to a kid.

Fred: Have you ever been so mad you wanted to bite?

Fred: Whatever is mentionable is manageable.

Fred (Mister) Rogers: Please won't you be my neighbor?