Ellen Terry Quotes

Only a great actor finds the difficulties of the actor's art infinite.

Before you can be eccentric, you must know where the circle is.

Wonderful women! Have you ever thought how much we all, and women especially, owe to Shakespeare for his vindication of women in these fearless, high-spirited, resolute and intelligent heroines?

Usefulness! It is not a fascinating word, and the quality is not one of which the aspiring spirit can dream o' nights, yet on the stage it is the first thing to aim at.

Conceit is an insuperable obstacle to all progress.

Vary the pace. ... it is one of the foundations of all good acting.

Conceit is an insuperable obstacle to all progress. On the other hand, it is of little use to take criticism in a slavish spirit and to act on it without understanding it.

Eulogy is nice, but one does not learn anything from it.

Not until we have learned to be useful can we afford to do what we like.

The tragedian will always be a limited tragedian if he has not learned how to laugh. The comedian who cannot weep will never touch the highest levels of mirth.

Coroners' inquests by learned societies can't make Shakespeare a dead man.

Imagination! Imagination! I put it first years ago, when I was asked what qualities I thought necessary for success on the stage.

The picture of me is nearly finished, and I think it is magnificent. The green and blue of the dress is splendid, and the expression as Lady Macbeth holds the crown over her head is quite wonderful.

No amount of skill on the part of the actress can make up for the loss of youth.

Security is mortal's chiefest enemy.