There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. Martha Graham More Quotes by Martha Graham More Quotes From Martha Graham I'm asked so often whether I believe in life after death. I do believe in the sanctity of life, the continuity of life and of energy. I know the anonymity of death has no appeal for me. It is the now that I must face and want to face. Martha Graham continuity-of-life wicked believe Art is eternal for it reveals the inner landscape which is the soul of man. Martha Graham soul men art I have spent all my life with dance and being a dancer. It's permitting life to use you in a very intense way. Sometimes it is not pleasant. Sometimes it is fearful. But nevertheless it is inevitable. Martha Graham dancer use way It's what I always wanted to do, to show the laughter, the fun, the joy of dance. Martha Graham laughter dance fun It takes ten years, usually, to make a dancer. It takes ten years of handling the instrument, handling the material with which you are dealing, for you to know it completely. Martha Graham dancing dance years First we have to believe, and then we believe. Martha Graham dance believe firsts We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God. Martha Graham dance education life The body is shaped, disciplined, honored, and in time, trusted. Martha Graham honored trusted body The unique must be fulfilled. Martha Graham fulfilled unique The center of the stage is where I am. Martha Graham stage Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired. Martha Graham volleyball dance mean I believe one thing: that today is yesterday and tomorrow is today and you can't stop. Martha Graham yesterday today believe I want to make people feel intensely alive. I'd rather have them against me than indifferent. Martha Graham alive want people I love words very much. I've always loved to talk, and I've always love words — the words that rest in your mouth, what words mean and how you taste them and so on. And for me the spoken word can be used almost as a gesture. Martha Graham gestures mouths mean If I can't dance, I don't care if my dances are ever done again! Martha Graham care dance done What I do must be done in the sunlight of awareness. Martha Graham sunlight awareness done I'd rather an audience like me than dislike me, but I'd rather they disliked me than be apathetic, because that is the kiss of death. Martha Graham apathetic dislike-me kissing Discipline is liberation. Martha Graham liberation discipline I believe that we learn by practice. Martha Graham i-believe practice believe In 1980, a well-meaning fundraiser came to see me and said, "Miss Graham, the most powerful thing you have going for you to raise money is your respectability." I wanted to spit. Respectable! Show me any artist who wants to be respectable. Martha Graham powerful artist missing
