I'm not intimidated by anyone. Everyone is made with two arms, two legs, a stomach and a head. Just think about that.

The white imagination is sure something when it comes to blacks.

Since I personified the savage on the stage, I tried to be as civilized as possible in daily life.

A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for.

I remember when Lindbergh arrived in Paris, I was one of the first persons to know about his landing, because as the French people know that I was born in St. Louis, thinking I would be very proud to announce it to the public, they gave me the news first. I was then starring in the 'Folies Bergere.'

I was learning the importance of names - having them, making them - but at the same time I sensed the dangers. Recognition was followed by oblivion, a yawning maw whose victims disappeared without a trace.

I shall dance all my life. . . . I would like to die, breathless, spent, at the end of a dance.