Quotes

I seem always to have reminded people of someone in their family. Perhaps I am the triumph of Plain Jane.

Every human being on this earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. That he has to leave the nest, the security, and go out to do battle. He has to lose everything that is lovely and fight for a new loveliness of his own making, and it's a tragedy. A lot of people don't have the courage to do it.

If you rest, you rust.

The truth is that there is only one terminal dignity - love. And the story of love is not important - what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.

Age is not important unless you're a cheese.

[at age 73] The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.

I must refrain from talking too much about retirement. It's beginning to sound absurd.

On writing: We rely upon poets, the philosophers, and the playwrights to articulate what most of us can feel, in joy or sorrow. They illuminate the thoughts for which we only grope; they give us the strength and balm we cannot find in ourselves. Whenever I feel my courage wavering I rush to them. They give me the wisdom of acceptance, the will and resilience to push on.

[on comparing winning the Best Actress award (1932) with the birth of her daughter]: The only other time in my life when I really felt great or superb,all I could think to say was 'Gosh, isn't she red!' I hope I do better the second time.

[Interview, 1977] Joan Crawford tried to be all things to all people. I just wish she hadn't tried to be a mother.

From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot in front of the other. But when books are opened, you discover you have wings.

[on Joan Crawford's alleged abuse of her children] It would have been futile for me or anyone else to protest. Joan would only get angry and probably vent her rage on the kids.