You think you're an artist; prove it
What is acting but lying and what is good lying but convincing lying?
Striving for perfection is the greatest stopper there is. You'll be afraid you can't achieve it. It's your excuse to yourself for not doing anything. Instead, strive for excellence, doing your best.
The humility to prepare and the self-confidence to bring it off.
Use your weaknesses; aspire to the strength.
[on whether he harbored any resentment at his forced retirement from the stage after he was fired by Britain's National Theater] I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare... An actor must act.