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

- Ethel Smyth

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

- Ethel Smyth

I loved dancing with a delirious 'I wish I could die' passion, especially when the music appealed to me ... but alas! only one in ten partners had an…

- Ethel Smyth

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

- 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, have ev…

- Ethel Smyth

acceptance is an art that must be mastered if we want to keep our friends for the span of life that remains to us, and presently step off the stage w…

- 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 once!' Fo…

- Ethel Smyth

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

- Ethel Smyth

I feel I must fight for [my music], because I want women to turn their minds to big and difficult jobs; not just to go on hugging the shore, afraid t…

- Ethel Smyth