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38 Top Bette Davis Quotes Worth Noting

Famous As: American Actress Who was Known for Playing Unsympathetic, Sardonic Characters
Born On: April 5, 1908
Died On: October 6, 1989
Born In: Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
Died At Age: 81

One of the biggest names in the history of American cinema, television and theatre, Bette Davis, was renowned for the characters she portrayed on screen. Even though she played various characters ranging from comedy to suspense thrillers, she is recognised for her roles in romantic dramas. Despite her spitfire and non-diplomatic attitude against studio executives and colleagues coupled with her critical persona, she went on to become the most prominent female icon in the industry. Her list of accolades includes Academy Award for Best Actress and Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. She was also elected as the first female President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In response to her combative reputation she stated that “In this business, until you're known as a monster you're not a star.” Here are some entertaining quotes from Bette Davis.

When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch.

When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch.

Bette Davis
There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.

There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.

Bette Davis
If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.

If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.

Bette Davis
It's better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for someone you're not. It's a sign of your worth sometimes, if you're hated by the right people.

It's better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for someone you're not. It's a sign of your worth sometimes, if you're hated by the right people.

Bette Davis
The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead.

The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead.

Bette Davis
Old age ain't no place for sissies.

Old age ain't no place for sissies.

Bette Davis
You should know me well enough by now to know I don't ask for things I don't think I can get.

You should know me well enough by now to know I don't ask for things I don't think I can get.

Bette Davis
Love is not enough. It must be the foundation, the cornerstone- but not the complete structure. It is much too pliable, to yielding.

Love is not enough. It must be the foundation, the cornerstone- but not the complete structure. It is much too pliable, to yielding.

Bette Davis
Everybody has a heart. Except some people.

Everybody has a heart. Except some people.

Bette Davis
Pleasure of love lasts but a moment, Pain of love lasts a lifetime.

Pleasure of love lasts but a moment, Pain of love lasts a lifetime.

Bette Davis
I'm the nicest goddamn dame that ever lived.

I'm the nicest goddamn dame that ever lived.

Bette Davis
I was thought to be 'stuck up.' I wasn't. I was just sure of myself. This is and always has been an unforgivable quality to the unsure.

I was thought to be 'stuck up.' I wasn't. I was just sure of myself. This is and always has been an unforgivable quality to the unsure.

Bette Davis
You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.

You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.

Bette Davis
If everybody likes you, you're pretty dull.

If everybody likes you, you're pretty dull.

Bette Davis
I am just too much.

I am just too much.

Bette Davis
A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it at the expense of everything else.

A sure way to lose happiness, I found, is to want it at the expense of everything else.

Bette Davis
Men become much more attractive when they start looking older. But it doesn't do much for women, though we do have an advantage: make-up.

Men become much more attractive when they start looking older. But it doesn't do much for women, though we do have an advantage: make-up.

Bette Davis
I'de luv to kiss ya but I just washed my hair.

I'de luv to kiss ya but I just washed my hair.

Bette Davis
This became a credo of mine...attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.

This became a credo of mine...attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.

Bette Davis
To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lovely labor, to be given the chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.

To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lovely labor, to be given the chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.

Bette Davis
I will not retire while I've still got my legs and my makeup box.

I will not retire while I've still got my legs and my makeup box.

Bette Davis
Getting old is not for sissies.

Getting old is not for sissies.

Bette Davis
Basically, I believe the world is a jungle, and if it's not a bit of a jungle in the home, a child cannot possibly be fit to enter the outside world.

Basically, I believe the world is a jungle, and if it's not a bit of a jungle in the home, a child cannot possibly be fit to enter the outside world.

Bette Davis
I have been uncompromising, peppery, intractable, monomaniacal, tactless, volatile, and oftentimes disagreeable... I suppose I'm larger than life.

I have been uncompromising, peppery, intractable, monomaniacal, tactless, volatile, and oftentimes disagreeable... I suppose I'm larger than life.

Bette Davis
Brought up to respect the conventions, love had to end in marriage. I'm afraid it did.

Brought up to respect the conventions, love had to end in marriage. I'm afraid it did.

Bette Davis
Life is the past, the present and the perhaps.

Life is the past, the present and the perhaps.

Bette Davis
If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent.

If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent.

Bette Davis
Success only breeds a new goal

Success only breeds a new goal

Bette Davis
My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.

My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.

Bette Davis
It's better to be HATED for who you ARE then Loved for who you ARE NOT!

It's better to be HATED for who you ARE then Loved for who you ARE NOT!

Bette Davis