French actress (1844-1923)
The courtesy of the well-educated man vanishes before the footlights, and the comedian, who in private life would render a service to a woman in any difficulty, will pick a quarrel with her on the stage. He would risk his life to save her from any danger in the road, on the railway, or on a boat, but when once on the boards he will not do anything to help her out of a difficulty. If her memory should fail, or if she should make a false step, he would not hesitate to push her--I am going a long way, perhaps, but not so far as people may think.
SARAH BERNHARDT
Notice: Undefined variable: id in /hermes/walnacweb03/walnacweb03ak/b2149/pow.notablequote/htdocs/b/includes/quoter.php on line 35
Memories of My Life
In the theater it is better to have long arms, long rather than short: an actor with short arms can never make a fine gesture!
SARAH BERNHARDT
My Double Life
I am always studying character. Everyone I meet is a new study.
SARAH BERNHARDT
The Strand Magazine, 1895
Had my child been a clergyman's probably he would have been strangled at birth.
SARAH BERNHARDT
response to a clergyman who denounced her for having a child out of wedlock, "The first modern celebrity was born 175 years ago", Vox, June 26, 2019
Actors of the first water are not more plentiful than playwrights of genius.
SARAH BERNHARDT
The Art of the Theatre
He who is incapable of feeling strong passions, of being shaken by anger, of living in every sense of the word, will never be a good actor.
SARAH BERNHARDT
The Art of the Theatre
I adored my mother, but with a touching and fervent desire to leave her, never to see her again, to sacrifice her to God.
SARAH BERNHARDT
My Double Life
Permanent success cannot be achieved except by incessant intellectual labour, always inspired by the ideal.
SARAH BERNHARDT
The Art of the Theatre
I often go away just for the pure joy of coming back to my wonderful Paris.
SARAH BERNHARDT
"Bernhardt Triumphs in New Role", Theatre Magazine, 1920