Being There is a film from 1979 that, truth be told, feels more relevant than ever. It follows Chance, a disabled man who is mentally much younger than he is physically and who works as a gardener until his boss passes away. While searching for a new place to go, he ends up befriending an wealthy woman and her politically influential husband, who mistake him for someone else—when he tells them that he is “Chance the Gardener”, they assume he’s saying “Chauncey Gardner” and that he’s lived a more affluent life than he has. The couple quickly take him in and become enthralled by “his simple way of speaking”different” way of speaking.

But here’s the thing—most of what Chance says are simple statements and truths, oftentimes about gardening. But because the couple assumes that Chance is well-educated and successful, they attribute unintended meaning to his words. As they connect him with their friends and acquaintances in politics, more and more people begin to see Chance as a genius and a political strategist, simply because they find truth behind his words.

Ultimately, this movie has a lot to say—that, as a society, we crave simple truths and honest; that sometimes situations can change completely depending on the angle we choose to look at it from; and that people of certain demographics have more upward mobility, not necessarily because they have worked for it but because people assume they have and are more likely to believe it’s where they belong.

Here are the 10 best quotes from Being There:

1.

Thomas Franklin (David Clennon): It’s that gardener.

Johanna (Denise DuBarry): Yes, Chauncey Gardiner.

Thomas Franklin: No, he’s a real gardener.

Johanna: He does talk like one. I think he’s brilliant.

2.

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): Some plants do well in the sun, and others grow better in the cool of the shade. 

3.

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): This is just like television, only you can see much further.

4.

President Bobby (Jack Warden): Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.

President Bobby: In the garden.

Chance the Gardener: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again.

President Bobby: Spring and summer.

Chance the Gardener: Yes.

President Bobby: Then fall and winter.

Chance the Gardener: Yes.

Benjamin Rand (Melvyn Douglas): I think what our insightful young friend is saying is that we welcome the inevitable seasons of nature, but we’re upset by the seasons of our economy.

Chance the Gardener: Yes! There will be growth in the spring!

5.

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): It is the responsibility of the gardener to adjust to the bad seasons as well as enjoy the good ones.

6.

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): It is possible for one side of the garden to be flooded and the other side to be dry.

7.

Ron Steigler (Richard McKenzie): Mr. Gardner, uh, my editors and I have been wondering if you would consider writing a book for us, something about your um, political philosophy, what do you say?

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): I can’t write.

Ron Steigler: Of course not, who can nowadays? Listen, I have trouble writing a postcard to my children. Look, we can give you a six figure advance, I’ll provide you with the very best ghost-writer, proof-readers…

Chance the Gardener: I can’t read.

Ron Steigler: Of course you can’t. No one has the time! We glance at things, we watch television—

Chance the Gardner: I like to watch TV.

Ron Steigler: Oh, oh, sure you do. No one reads!

8.

Chance the Gardener (Peter Sellers): If the gardener does his job, everything will be fine.

9.

Louise (Ruth Attaway): It’s for sure a white man’s world in America. Look here: I raised that boy since he was the size of a piss-ant. And I’ll say right now, he never learned to read and write. No, sir. Had no brains at all. Was stuffed with rice pudding between the ears. Shortchanged by the Lord, and dumb as a jackass. Look at him now! Yes, sir, all you’ve gotta be is white in America, to get whatever you want.

10.

President Bobby (Jack Warden): Life is a state of mind.