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

All the men in my life have been two things: an epic and an epidemic.

- Ethel Waters

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

- Ethel Waters

We miss a lot in life because we don't know when to quit, what to leave out.

- Ethel Waters

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

- Ethel Waters

There was one emotional outlet my people always had when they had the blues. That was singing.

- Ethel Waters

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

- Ethel Waters

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

- Ethel Waters

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

- Ethel Waters