Ethel Waters Professions : Vocalist Born : October 31, 1896 Died : September 1, 1977 Browse All Authors Top 71 quotes by Ethel Waters My whole family could sing. My family harmonized without any instruments to accompany them. Ethel Waters whole-family instruments my-family I have no acting technique I act instinctively. That's why I can't play any role that isn't based on something in my life. Ethel Waters technique acting play The white audiences thought I was white, my features being what they are, and at every performance I'd have to take off my gloves to prove I was a spade. Ethel Waters spades gloves white I don't care to dress up except when it is necessary or good for my business. Ethel Waters i-dont-care care dresses I had a probing mind and an elephant memory. Ethel Waters elephants mind memories I know the most terrible thing that can happen to a woman. That is the gang-up. Men put you to sleep with their drops and one man after another goes in and takes you. Ethel Waters gang sleep men I never posed as a saint. I would have slept with a man for nothing if I liked him well enough. Ethel Waters saint enough men I was born out of wedlock. Nobody brought me up. Ethel Waters wedlock born I've never been able to feel that there is anything undignified about making your living by the sweat of your brow. Ethel Waters brows sweat able You are a person of the greatest importance when you are a mother of a family. Just do your job right and your kids will love you. Ethel Waters you family mother love No one in the world can beat Ella Fitzgerald as a riff singer. Ethel Waters ella-fitzgerald beat singer world Similar Authors Brenda Lee vocalist Arnold McCuller vocalist Ari Up vocalist Andrew VanWyngarden vocalist Alton Ellis vocalist Bobby McFerrin vocalist All Authors