Ethel Smyth

if you take passionate interest in a subject, it is hard not to believe yourself specially equipped for it.

— Ethel Smyth

No doubt other writers have often put a thing more brilliantly, more subtly than even a very cunning artist in words can…

— Ethel Smyth

If some people are right, artists are put into this world not to practice their art, but to talk about it. And…

— Ethel Smyth

The habit some writers indulge in of perpetual quotation is one it behooves lovers of good literature to protest against, for it…

— Ethel Smyth

Because I have conducted my own operas and love sheep-dogs; because I generally dress in tweeds, and sometimes, at winter afternoon concerts,…

— Ethel Smyth

If a young dog strays up the aisle during church no one says anything, no one does anything, but, none the less,…

— Ethel Smyth

I have often noticed that when Fate has a phenomenal run of ill luck in store for you, she begins by dropping…

— Ethel Smyth

I loved dancing with a delirious 'I wish I could die' passion, especially when the music appealed to me ... but alas!…

— Ethel Smyth

I can imagine nothing more tiresome than always to speak of people as if they were listening at the door.

— Ethel Smyth

night after night I went to sleep murmuring, 'To-morrow I will be easy, strong, quick, supple, accurate, dashing and self-controlled all at…

— Ethel Smyth

no one is more trustworthy than the repentant sinner who has been found out.

— Ethel Smyth

the majority of critical, and plenty of uncritical, readers find quotations a bore.

— Ethel Smyth

when I came to know Greek art I instantly understood that excess and perfection are enemies; yet on the other hand this…

— Ethel Smyth

The charms of seclusion are seldom combined with the conveniences of civilization.

— Ethel Smyth

crawling about the floor like half-dead November flies is one thing, and dancing reels another.

— Ethel Smyth

[On golf:] ... though aware I could never be more than a humble potterer, it was impossible to repress the wild upsurgings…

— Ethel Smyth

the writer must resist this temptation [to quote] and do his best with his own tools. It would be most convenient for…

— Ethel Smyth

I feel I must fight for [my music], because I want women to turn their minds to big and difficult jobs; not…

— Ethel Smyth

acceptance is an art that must be mastered if we want to keep our friends for the span of life that remains…

— Ethel Smyth