Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

70 Ethel Waters Quotes On Joy, Positivity, Emotions, Time Etc.

Famous As: Actor, Singer, Jazz musician, Stage actor
Born On: October 31, 1896
Died On: September 1, 1977
Born In: Chester County
Died At Age: 80
Ethel Waters was an illustrious American actress and singer who began her career singing blues in the 1920s. She is best-known for her full-bodied voice and slow vibrato. She performed at Broadway and concerts. In 1962, she became the first Afro-American woman to receive a nomination for an ‘Emmy Award.' She was also the second Afro-American woman to have been nominated for an ‘Academy Award’ after ‘Hattie McDaniel.' Some of her renowned works include, ‘Taking A Chance On Love,' ‘Cabin In The Sky,’ ‘Dinah,’ ‘Am I Blue?’, ‘Stormy Weather, ’‘Super Time,’ ‘I’m Coming Virginia’ and various others. Following is a compilation of quotations and sayings by the eminent artist, which have been excerpted from her songs, performances, dialogues, lyrics, works, thoughts, public utterances, and life. 
I am somebody cause God don't make no junk

I am somebody cause God don't make no junk

Ethel Waters
God doesn't make junk

God doesn't make junk

Ethel Waters
We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.

We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.

Ethel Waters
Many people know how to criticize, but few know how to praise.

Many people know how to criticize, but few know how to praise.

Ethel Waters
Only those who are being burned know what fire is like.

Only those who are being burned know what fire is like.

Ethel Waters
The white audiences thought I was white, my features being what they are, and at every performance I'd have to take off my gloves to prove I was a spade.

The white audiences thought I was white, my features being what they are, and at every performance I'd have to take off my gloves to prove I was a spade.

Ethel Waters
I've never been able to feel that there is anything undignified about making your living by the sweat of your brow.

I've never been able to feel that there is anything undignified about making your living by the sweat of your brow.

Ethel Waters
Asking what I considered an impossible salary when I didn't want to work for someone has boosted my pay again and again.

Asking what I considered an impossible salary when I didn't want to work for someone has boosted my pay again and again.

Ethel Waters
I wondered what I would do if I didn't have my God to turn to and be able to read the Book He had divinely inspired.

I wondered what I would do if I didn't have my God to turn to and be able to read the Book He had divinely inspired.

Ethel Waters
I was born out of wedlock. Nobody brought me up.

I was born out of wedlock. Nobody brought me up.

Ethel Waters
I never posed as a saint. I would have slept with a man for nothing if I liked him well enough.

I never posed as a saint. I would have slept with a man for nothing if I liked him well enough.

Ethel Waters
I know the most terrible thing that can happen to a woman. That is the gang-up. Men put you to sleep with their drops and one man after another goes in and takes you.

I know the most terrible thing that can happen to a woman. That is the gang-up. Men put you to sleep with their drops and one man after another goes in and takes you.

Ethel Waters
I had a probing mind and an elephant memory.

I had a probing mind and an elephant memory.

Ethel Waters
I have no acting technique I act instinctively. That's why I can't play any role that isn't based on something in my life.

I have no acting technique I act instinctively. That's why I can't play any role that isn't based on something in my life.

Ethel Waters
My whole family could sing. My family harmonized without any instruments to accompany them.

My whole family could sing. My family harmonized without any instruments to accompany them.

Ethel Waters
I don't care to dress up except when it is necessary or good for my business.

I don't care to dress up except when it is necessary or good for my business.

Ethel Waters
I could always open shows, perform through the middle, and close shows.

I could always open shows, perform through the middle, and close shows.

Ethel Waters
I never accepted the idea that I was all through. I guess no person who has once been a star can do that, ever.

I never accepted the idea that I was all through. I guess no person who has once been a star can do that, ever.

Ethel Waters
In her whole life Mom never earned more than five or six dollars a week. Being without a husband, it was hard for her to find any place at all for us to live.

In her whole life Mom never earned more than five or six dollars a week. Being without a husband, it was hard for her to find any place at all for us to live.

Ethel Waters
Mom was the greatest influence of my childhood. She wanted to save me from the vice, lust, and drinking that was all about me.

Mom was the greatest influence of my childhood. She wanted to save me from the vice, lust, and drinking that was all about me.

Ethel Waters
If whites bored me, it was because they bored themselves. They seemed to get little fun out of life and were desperately lonely.

If whites bored me, it was because they bored themselves. They seemed to get little fun out of life and were desperately lonely.

Ethel Waters
All my life I've been prejudiced against wealthy people.

All my life I've been prejudiced against wealthy people.

Ethel Waters
It has been an ache and a joy both to look over this big shoulder of mine at all my yesterdays.

It has been an ache and a joy both to look over this big shoulder of mine at all my yesterdays.

Ethel Waters
When I first went on the stage I was 17 and under the legal age for performers.

When I first went on the stage I was 17 and under the legal age for performers.

Ethel Waters
I have reason to be shy. I've been hurt plenty.

I have reason to be shy. I've been hurt plenty.

Ethel Waters
If I wanted pity, I got it because I'm illegitimate. And when I didn't want it I was mean and nasty.

If I wanted pity, I got it because I'm illegitimate. And when I didn't want it I was mean and nasty.

Ethel Waters
What impressed me most about New York were its huge apartment houses.

What impressed me most about New York were its huge apartment houses.

Ethel Waters
What broke Mom's heart was realizing that her children knew nothing and cared nothing about the better side of life.

What broke Mom's heart was realizing that her children knew nothing and cared nothing about the better side of life.

Ethel Waters
We show girls were forced to live in whorehouses in each town, no other accommodations being available.

We show girls were forced to live in whorehouses in each town, no other accommodations being available.

Ethel Waters
Twenty-five years is a long time for a girl to live out of a trunk, and after looking over a few houses, I fell in love with one in Southwest Los Angeles.

Twenty-five years is a long time for a girl to live out of a trunk, and after looking over a few houses, I fell in love with one in Southwest Los Angeles.

Ethel Waters