Beverly Sills

I needed to sing — desperately. My voice poured out more easily because I was no longer singing for anyone's approval; I was beyond caring about the public's reaction, I just wanted to enjoy myself. … I had found a kind of serenity, a new maturity, as a result of my childrens' problems. I didn't feel better or stronger than anyone else but it seemed no longer important whether everyone loved me or not — more important now was for me to love them. Feeling that way turns your whole life around; living becomes the act of giving. ➡

A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn't let them get her down. ➡

There is a growing strength in women but it's in the forehead, not the forearm. Men will always be attracted to women with nice soft arms and a fleshy bosom. ➡

Why should I go when it's going so good? … I lived through the garbage. I might as well dine on the caviar. ➡

So long as it doesn't get to the point where you don't remember whose opera you're listening to, I'm willing to experiment. ➡

I've always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up. I'm not about to change now. ➡

My voice had a long, nonstop career. It deserves to be put to bed with quiet and dignity, not yanked out every once in a while to see if it can still do what it used to do. It can't. ➡

Art is the signature of civilizations. ➡

I really do believe I can accomplish a great deal with a big grin, I know some people find that disconcerting, but that doesn't matter. ➡

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. ➡

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. ➡

Theres no shortcut to a place worth going. ➡