People are wrong when they say opera is not what it used to be. It is what it used to be. That is what's wrong with it.

I don't believe in astrology. The only stars I can blame for my failures are those that walk about the stage.

He's completely unspoiled by failure.

Television is for appearing on, not looking at.

To take a gloomy view of life is not part of my philosophy; to laugh at the idiocies of my fellow creatures is. However, at this particular moment I cannot find so much to laugh at as I would like.

That strange feeling we had in the war. Have you found anything in your lives since to equal it in strength? A sort of splendid carelessness it was, holding us together.

Familiarity breeds contempt, but without a little familiarity it's impossible to breed anything.