The art of persuasion. The actor persuades himself, first, and through himself, the audience.

Acting is illusion, as much illusion as magic is - and not so much a matter of being real.

I'd like people to remember me for a diligent expert workman. I think a poet is a workman. I think Shakespeare was a workman. And God's a workman. I don't think there's anything better than a workman.

No matter how well you perform, there's always somebody of intelligent opinion who thinks it's lousy.

The humility to prepare and the self-confidence to bring it off.

Have a very good reason for everything you do.

In the great wealth, the great firmament of your nation's generosities this particular choice may perhaps be found by future generations as a trifle eccentric, but the mere fact of it . . . the prodigal, pure, human kindness of it . . . must be seen as a beautiful star in that firmament which shines upon me at this moment, dazzling me a little, but filling me with warmth of the extraordinary elation, the euphoria that happens to so many of us at the first breath of the majestic glow of a new tomorrow.