In the circle of light on the state in the midst of darkness, you have the sensation of being entirely alone... This is called solitude in public... During a performance, before an audience of thousands, you can always enclose yourself in this circle, like a snail in its shell... You can carry it wherever you go.

The actor must use his imagination to be able to answer all questions (when, where, why, how). Make the make-believer existence more definite.

When we are on stage, we are in the here and now.

The main difference between the art of the actor and all other arts is that every other [non-performing] artist may create whenever he is in the mood of inspiration. But the artist of the stage must be the master of his own inspiration, and must know how to call it forth at the hour announced on the posters of the theatre. This is the chief secret of our art.

When you're playing a character who's cruel, look for the places where he's kind. When you're playing a character who is unhappy, look for the places where he has a glint of merriment.

At times of great stress it is especially necessary to achieve a complete freeing of the muscles

Who am I? What will I be? Why am I here? Where am I going?