Ellen Terry quotes

Ellen Terry was an acclaimed English actress, celebrated as one of the leading performers of the Victorian era. Renowned for her interpretations of Shakespearean roles, she became a star of the British stage alongside actor-manager Henry Irving. She inspired generations of actors with her talent, charisma, and contributions to the theatre. Here are 11 of her quotes:

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.

Ellen Terry

Conceit is an insuperable obstacle to all progress.

Ellen Terry

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

Ellen Terry

How Henry would have loved it.

Ellen Terry

Tall, slender, with beautiful flaxen hair, grey eyes, full red lips, finely framed features, graceful of carriage and movement, fresh and always young, Ellen Terry was as much an art object as an actress.

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

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

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

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