A biography for Ellen Terryhasn’t been written yet.
“Eulogy is nice, but one does not learn anything from it.”
“Only a great actor finds the difficulties of the actor's art infinite.”
“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.”
“Vary the pace... is one of the foundations of all good acting.”
“No amount of skill on the part of the actress can make up for the loss of youth.”
“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.”
“There is all the difference in the world between departure from recognised rules by one who has learned to obey them, and neglect of them through want of training or want of skill or want of understanding. Before you can be eccentric you must know where the circle is.”
“Conceit is an insuperable obstacle to all progress.”
“Imagination! Imagination! I put it first years ago, when I was asked what qualities I thought necessary for success on the stage.”