Women are not pals enough with men, so we must make ourselves indispensable. After all, we have the greatest weapon in our hands by just being women.

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

Love is so much better when you are not married.

What is there in life if you do not work? There is only sensation, and there are only a few sensations— you cannot live on them. You can only live on work, by work, through work. How can you live with self-respect if you do not do things as well as lies in you?

I prepare myself for rehearsals like I would for marriage.

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

I will not be sued! I have the voice of an angel!