---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a very terrible thing to be Maria…"
description: "\"It's a very terrible thing to be Maria Callas, because it's a question of trying to understand something you can never really understand.\" — Maria Callas"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a34/maria-callas-13765_callas_it-s-a-very-terrible-thing-to-be-maria-c_2898290.jpg"
---

#  It's a very terrible thing to be Maria Callas, because…

![“It's a very terrible thing to be Maria Callas, because it's a question of trying to understand something you can never really understand.” quote by Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a34/maria-callas-13765_callas_it-s-a-very-terrible-thing-to-be-maria-c_2898290.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a34/maria-callas-13765_callas_it-s-a-very-terrible-thing-to-be-maria-c_2898290.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a34/maria-callas-13765_callas_it-s-a-very-terrible-thing-to-be-maria-c_2898290.jpg)

> “It's a very terrible thing to be Maria Callas, because it's a question of trying to understand something you can never really understand.”

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Attempting to fully grasp an iconic figure's inner world is impossible; we can only approximate understanding through their art and legacy.

**In simple terms:** We can never completely know a legend; we only see glimpses.

Key Takeaway

Accept limits of understanding; appreciate their impact.

Themes

celebrity identity art

Mood

admiring thoughtful

Type

inspirational contemplative

When to use this quote

- studying biographies
- listening to performances
- creative inspiration

Key Concepts

existentialism hero worship

Questions to Reflect On

- What aspects of a legendary figure's life remain unknowable?
- How does mystery enhance their legacy?

A Different Perspective

Understanding may be limited, but admiration can still be deep.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/callas/)

## Related quotes

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[Klaus Nomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klaus-nomi/)

> [ It didn't feel organic and \[Tito\] Gobbi was one of the artists that was able to, along with Maria Callas, incorporate not just the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-davi/it-didn-t-feel-organic-and-tito-gobbi-was-one-of-the-artists-that-was/)

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> [The most widely criticised singers in the history of opera, Maria Callas and Franco Corelli, happen also to be the best singers. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-bocelli/the-most-widely-criticised-singers-in-the-history-of-opera-maria/)

[Andrea Bocelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-bocelli/)

> [When I was a teenager, I dreamed of being an opera singer like Maria Callas or a jazz singer like June Christy or Chris…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/when-i-was-a-teenager-i-dreamed-of-being-an-opera-singer-like-maria/)

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> [The first opera I went to see was Maria Callas singing 'Tosca'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-faithfull/the-first-opera-i-went-to-see-was-maria-callas-singing-tosca/)

[Marianne Faithfull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-faithfull/)

> [“But I knew this much: how could anyone with half a brain would want to live in a vast, cold place like Russia which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patric-juillet/but-i-knew-this-much-how-could-anyone-with-half-a-brain-would-want-to/)

[Patric Juillet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patric-juillet/)

> [I love to sing, and I warm up to Maria Callas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/i-love-to-sing-and-i-warm-up-to-maria-callas/)

[Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/)

> [My mother looked like a combination of Jackie O and Maria Callas. She always said 'Be original.' I understand that now more than ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/my-mother-looked-like-a-combination-of-jackie-o-and-maria-callas-she/)

[Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/)

> [I search and can't find myself. I belong in chrysanthemum time, sharp in calla lily elongations. God made my soul into an ornamental thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/i-search-and-can-t-find-myself-i-belong-in-chrysanthemum-time-sharp/)

[Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/)

> [When does it happen?" "It already has," Calla replied. Her eyes opened and fixed on Blue. "And it hasn't yet. Time' circular, chicken. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/when-does-it-happen-it-already-has-calla-replied-her-eyes-opened-and/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [I'm very nearly drunk enough to be transcendent," Calla said after a space. She was not the only psychic drinking, but she was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-m-very-nearly-drunk-enough-to-be-transcendent-calla-said-after-a/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [Calla readjusted, wrapping the silk around her other thigh instead. "Which one's he again? The pretty one?" Blue and Gansey exchanged a look. Blue's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/calla-readjusted-wrapping-the-silk-around-her-other-thigh-instead/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [When Callas carried a grudge, she planted it, nursed it, fostered it, watered it and watched it grow to sequoia size.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-c-schonberg/when-callas-carried-a-grudge-she-planted-it-nursed-it-fostered-it/)

[Harold C. Schonberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-c-schonberg/)

> [I will not enter into a public feud with Madame Callas, since I am well aware that she has considerably greater competence and experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-bing/i-will-not-enter-into-a-public-feud-with-madame-callas-since-i-am/)

[Rudolf Bing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-bing/)

> [The calla lilies are in bloom again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/the-calla-lilies-are-in-bloom-again/)

[Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/)

## More by Maria Callas

> [It takes a little more time to get into the role, but not very much more. In making a record you don't have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/it-takes-a-little-more-time-to-get-into-the-role-but-not-very-much/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [I was always too mature for my age - and not very happy. I had no young friends. I wish I could go back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/i-was-always-too-mature-for-my-age-and-not-very-happy-i-had-no-young/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [Good teachers make the best of a pupil's means; great teachers foresee a pupil's ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/good-teachers-make-the-best-of-a-pupil-s-means-great-teachers-foresee/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [I admire Tebaldi's tone; it's beautiful - also some beautiful phrasing. Sometimes, I actually wish I had her voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/i-admire-tebaldi-s-tone-it-s-beautiful-also-some-beautiful-phrasing/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [I don't need the money, dear. I work for art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/i-don-t-need-the-money-dear-i-work-for-art/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [To me, the art of music is magnificent, and I cannot bear to see it treated in a shabby way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/to-me-the-art-of-music-is-magnificent-and-i-cannot-bear-to-see-it/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the god dam rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/don-t-talk-to-me-about-rules-dear-wherever-i-stay-i-make-the-god-dam/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [Some say I have a beautiful voice, some say I have not. It is a matter of opinion. All I can say, those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/some-say-i-have-a-beautiful-voice-some-say-i-have-not-it-is-a-matter/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [Real friends are very special, but you have to be careful because sometimes you have a friend and you think they are made of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/real-friends-are-very-special-but-you-have-to-be-careful-because/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [On stage, I am in the dark.On stage, I am in the dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/on-stage-i-am-in-the-dark-on-stage-i-am-in-the-dark/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/i-will-always-be-as-difficult-as-necessary-to-achieve-the-best/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [That is the difference between good teachers and great teachers: good teachers make the best of a pupil's means; great teachers foresee a pupil's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/that-is-the-difference-between-good-teachers-and-great-teachers-good/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [First I lost weight, then I lost my voice, and now I've lost Onassis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/first-i-lost-weight-then-i-lost-my-voice-and-now-i-ve-lost-onassis/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [I am not an angel and do not pretend to be. That is not one of my roles. But I am not the devil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/i-am-not-an-angel-and-do-not-pretend-to-be-that-is-not-one-of-my/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

> [ What \[Tulio Serafin\] said that impressed me was: "When one wants to find a gesture, when you want to find how to act on… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/what-tulio-serafin-said-that-impressed-me-was-when-one-wants-to-find/)

[Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

[Explore all 49 Maria Callas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/)

## More Callas quotes

> [The calla lilies are in bloom again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/the-calla-lilies-are-in-bloom-again/)

[Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/)

> [I will not enter into a public feud with Madame Callas, since I am well aware that she has considerably greater competence and experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-bing/i-will-not-enter-into-a-public-feud-with-madame-callas-since-i-am/)

[Rudolf Bing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-bing/)

> [The most widely criticised singers in the history of opera, Maria Callas and Franco Corelli, happen also to be the best singers. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-bocelli/the-most-widely-criticised-singers-in-the-history-of-opera-maria/)

[Andrea Bocelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-bocelli/)

> [When Callas carried a grudge, she planted it, nursed it, fostered it, watered it and watched it grow to sequoia size.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-c-schonberg/when-callas-carried-a-grudge-she-planted-it-nursed-it-fostered-it/)

[Harold C. Schonberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-c-schonberg/)

> [Calla readjusted, wrapping the silk around her other thigh instead. "Which one's he again? The pretty one?" Blue and Gansey exchanged a look. Blue's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/calla-readjusted-wrapping-the-silk-around-her-other-thigh-instead/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [I'm very nearly drunk enough to be transcendent," Calla said after a space. She was not the only psychic drinking, but she was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-m-very-nearly-drunk-enough-to-be-transcendent-calla-said-after-a/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [When does it happen?" "It already has," Calla replied. Her eyes opened and fixed on Blue. "And it hasn't yet. Time' circular, chicken. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/when-does-it-happen-it-already-has-calla-replied-her-eyes-opened-and/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [I search and can't find myself. I belong in chrysanthemum time, sharp in calla lily elongations. God made my soul into an ornamental thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/i-search-and-can-t-find-myself-i-belong-in-chrysanthemum-time-sharp/)

[Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/)

> [The first opera I went to see was Maria Callas singing 'Tosca'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-faithfull/the-first-opera-i-went-to-see-was-maria-callas-singing-tosca/)

[Marianne Faithfull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-faithfull/)

> [When I was a teenager, I dreamed of being an opera singer like Maria Callas or a jazz singer like June Christy or Chris…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/when-i-was-a-teenager-i-dreamed-of-being-an-opera-singer-like-maria/)

[Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/)

> [I thought you said scrying was a bad idea.” “It's like vodka,” Calla said. “It really depends on who's doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/i-thought-you-said-scrying-was-a-bad-idea-it-s-like-vodka-calla-said/)

[Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/)

> [The calla lilies are in bloom again. Such a strange flower—suitable to any occasion. I carried them on my wedding day, and now I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-calla-lilies-are-in-bloom-again-such-a-strange-flower-suitable-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [In those days, you had to like one or the other. You couldn't like Sutherland AND Callas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-mcnally/in-those-days-you-had-to-like-one-or-the-other-you-couldn-t-like/)

[Terrence McNally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-mcnally/)

> [ It didn't feel organic and \[Tito\] Gobbi was one of the artists that was able to, along with Maria Callas, incorporate not just the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-davi/it-didn-t-feel-organic-and-tito-gobbi-was-one-of-the-artists-that-was/)

[Robert Davi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-davi/)

> [For sheer strength of character, I wouldn't have dared to cross swords with Callas. I would rather have gone six rounds with Jack Dempsey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-huston/for-sheer-strength-of-character-i-wouldn-t-have-dared-to-cross-swords/)

[John Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-huston/)

[Browse all 19 Callas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/callas/)

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