An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house.
Maria CallasRead
When my enemies stop hissing, I shall know I'm slipping.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Criticism often indicates the presence of influence and impact; absence of it may suggest decline.
Maria Callas reflects on the nature of criticism and recognition in this quote. The act of 'hissing' symbolizes disapproval or negativity from adversaries, implying that such criticism is a sign of one's relevance and strength. When enemies cease to criticize, it may signify a loss of influence or a decline in one's position, suggesting that to be impactful, one must expect dissent as part of the journey.
Themes
CriticismEnemiesInfluenceImpactRecognition
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a motivational event may refer to this quote to encourage resilience in the face of criticism.
More from Maria Callas
All quotes →I would like to be Maria, but there is La Callas who demands that I carry myself with her dignity.
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First I lost my voice, then I lost my figure and then I lost Onassis.
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I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best.
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What is there in life if you do not work? There is only sensation, and there are only a few sensations— you cannot live on them. You can only live on work, by work, through work. How can you live with self-respect if you do not do things as well as lies in you?
Maria CallasRead
To sing is an expression of your being, a being which is becoming.
Maria CallasRead
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