--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have so little control as actors, but…" description: "\"We have so little control as actors, but there are ways you can maintain your integrity. I have to say I've never compromised myself in this career onc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/sian-clifford-25072_believe_we-have-so-little-control-as-actors-but_882008.jpg" --- # We have so little control as actors, but there are ways… ![“We have so little control as actors, but there are ways you can maintain your integrity. I have to say I've never compromised myself in this career once. I've never done something I didn't believe in.” quote by Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/sian-clifford-25072_believe_we-have-so-little-control-as-actors-but_882008.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/sian-clifford-25072_believe_we-have-so-little-control-as-actors-but_882008.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/830/sian-clifford-25072_believe_we-have-so-little-control-as-actors-but_882008.jpg) > “We have so little control as actors, but there are ways you can maintain your integrity. I have to say I've never compromised myself in this career once. I've never done something I didn't believe in.” [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors have limited control, yet can preserve personal integrity by refusing to betray personal beliefs in their work. **In simple terms:** Actors can stay true to themselves despite limited control. Key Takeaway Maintain integrity by aligning actions with beliefs. Themes integrity ethics career self‑respect Mood reflective determined Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - choosing roles - declining projects - speaking up in rehearsals - setting personal standards Key Concepts personal values professional boundaries moral courage Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide when to compromise? - What costs have you faced for staying true? A Different Perspective Maintaining integrity may limit opportunities and cause conflict with industry pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [I think there's so much that is out of our control as actors, and it's just really hard to market yourself in such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-keenan-bolger/i-think-there-s-so-much-that-is-out-of-our-control-as-actors-and-it-s/) [Andrew Keenan-Bolger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-keenan-bolger/) > [You say potato; I say potahto..." I say integrity; you say deceit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/you-say-potato-i-say-potahto-i-say-integrity-you-say-deceit/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/be-impeccable-with-your-word-speak-with-integrity-say-only-what-you/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [The battle of being mortal is the battle to maintain the integrity of one’s life,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/the-battle-of-being-mortal-is-the-battle-to-maintain-the-integrity-of/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [If you can maintain that integrity in whatever you do, you can't go wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/if-you-can-maintain-that-integrity-in-whatever-you-do-you-can-t-go/) [George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/) > [People with integrity do what they say they are going to do. Others have excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/people-with-integrity-do-what-they-say-they-are-going-to-do-others/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Truth allows you to live with integrity. Everything you do and say shows the world who you really are. Let it be the Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/truth-allows-you-to-live-with-integrity-everything-you-do-and-say/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [When you are a leader of good character you have high moral values and integrity. You do what you say you will do on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-are-a-leader-of-good-character-you-have-high-moral-values/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The definition of integrity is this: "Being what I say I am by acting in accordance with my words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-miller/the-definition-of-integrity-is-this-being-what-i-say-i-am-by-acting/) [John G. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-g-miller/) > [Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-galer/integrity-is-what-we-do-what-we-say-and-what-we-say-we-do/) Don Galer > [I'm pretty transparent and clear about things. The things I do and the way I act are no different than I would expect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-greene/i-m-pretty-transparent-and-clear-about-things-the-things-i-do-and-the/) [Diane Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-greene/) > [ I tried to write the book \[Today Matters\] with integrity and say, health is one of my daily dozen, and I work on it,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-tried-to-write-the-book-today-matters-with-integrity-and-say-health/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [My challenge to members on both sides of the aisle is to stand up and have the integrity to say that we have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-chaffetz/my-challenge-to-members-on-both-sides-of-the-aisle-is-to-stand-up-and/) [Jason Chaffetz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-chaffetz/) > [“Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourslef or to gossip about others. Use your power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-miguel-ruiz/speak-with-integrity-say-only-what-you-mean-avoid-using-the-word-to/) [Don Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-miguel-ruiz/) ## More by Sian Clifford > [Everyone's had a dodgy haircut at one point and think your life's over. Then there's always someone, whether it's a best friend or your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/everyone-s-had-a-dodgy-haircut-at-one-point-and-think-your-life-s/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [For me, playing characters is always about an energy and feeling it in your body. That's when I know that the character arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/for-me-playing-characters-is-always-about-an-energy-and-feeling-it-in/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [I'd love more production houses to encourage artists to create what they want and not just churn things out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/i-d-love-more-production-houses-to-encourage-artists-to-create-what/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [It's so important that we take auditions less seriously, take your work seriously, but take the industry a whole lot less seriously because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/it-s-so-important-that-we-take-auditions-less-seriously-take-your/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [Don't try to guess what a casting director wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/don-t-try-to-guess-what-a-casting-director-wants/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [People on the stage are desperate to do the screens, and people on the screens are desperate to do theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/people-on-the-stage-are-desperate-to-do-the-screens-and-people-on-the/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [My process as an actor is all about energy, just feeling the person in your body. I can feel their rhythm, I can feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/my-process-as-an-actor-is-all-about-energy-just-feeling-the-person-in/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [I always go where I feel the flow of energy is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/i-always-go-where-i-feel-the-flow-of-energy-is/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [I went to drama school and it didn't prepare me for the ruthlessness of the industry at all, or the reality of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/i-went-to-drama-school-and-it-didn-t-prepare-me-for-the-ruthlessness/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [Bryan Cranston's advice to actors, it's my favorite thing, and it changed my life. He said: Don't go into an audition to get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/bryan-cranston-s-advice-to-actors-it-s-my-favorite-thing-and-it/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [I've wanted to act since I was seven. The year before, I'd been a munchkin in 'The Wizard of Oz' and was overcome with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/i-ve-wanted-to-act-since-i-was-seven-the-year-before-i-d-been-a/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [I had the Rada prospectus when I was 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/i-had-the-rada-prospectus-when-i-was-12/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [I do think haircuts completely change people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/i-do-think-haircuts-completely-change-people/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [It is the beauty and curse of this industry that you never know what is around the corner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/it-is-the-beauty-and-curse-of-this-industry-that-you-never-know-what/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) > [Find your champions, because Phoebe Waller-Bridge is mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sian-clifford/find-your-champions-because-phoebe-waller-bridge-is-mine/) [Sian Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) [Explore all 23 Sian Clifford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sian-clifford/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! 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I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have so little control as actors, but there are ways you can maintain your integrity. I have to say I've never compromised myself in this career once. 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