An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house.

Love is so much better when you are not married.

Don't come to me with your troubles. I have to work for my money and you are young enough to work too. If you can't make enough money to live on you can jump out of the window or drown yourself.

Only when I was singing did I feel loved.

[During fee negotiations for singing in Vienna:] I'm not interested in money, but it must be more than anyone else gets.

Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the goddam rules.

Some say I have a beautiful voice, some say I have not. It is a matter of opinion. All I can say, those who don't like it shouldn't come to hear me.