25 Quotes by Ellen Terry

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

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.

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

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

Security is mortal’s chiefest enemy.

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

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.