Ellen Terry Quotes & Sayings

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

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

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

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. — Ellen Terry

Applause is an instinctive, unconscious act expressing the sympathy between actors and audience. Just as our art demands more instinct than intellect in its exercise, so we demand of those who watch us an apppreciation of the simple unconscious kind which finds an outlet in clapping rather than the cold intellectual approval which would self-consciously think applause derogatory. I have yet to meet the actor who was sincere in saying that he disliked applause. — Ellen Terry

Conceit is an insuperable obstacle to all progress. — Ellen Terry

Vary the pace ... is one of the foundations of all good acting. — Ellen Terry

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

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

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. — Ellen Terry

If it is the mark of the artist to love art before everything, to renounce everything for its sake, to think all the sweet human things of life well lost if only he may attain something, do some good, great work - then I was never an artist. — Ellen Terry

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

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. — Ellen Terry

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