Lucille Ball

"Some people are like leeches; they drain you and never give back."

"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come."

"Desi and I had a real marriage, not a made-for-television one."

"It's funny how a person can be so small yet take up so much space in your heart."

"Being true to yourself is the beginning of all philosophy."

"The secret is not to give up hope. It is to hope with all your heart."

"I was not naturally gifted—I learned everything the hard way."

"Adversity reveals character; success confirms it."

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."

"Don't care what people think; you'll be happier."

"I think it's important to have a sense of humor about life."

"We should not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character."

"I would go insane if I didn't maintain a sense of humor about this business."

"Lucky is the woman who finds a friend in her husband."

"I want to get a tattoo that says 'I am not a bank account.'"

"The secret to getting ahead is getting started."

"I found myself in this role and never looked back."

"When you stop laughing at yourself, that's when you've gotten old."

"Timing is everything in comedy, and timing is everything in life."

"I believe that everyone has the potential to be great."

"Why should we grieve for the man we knew when we have the man he became?"

"I never wanted to be famous—I just wanted to work."

"The most important role I ever played was being a mother."

"I'm grateful for every opportunity I've ever had."

"You can't keep looking back or you'll trip over your own feet."

"I have always believed that a smart person surrounds themselves with people smarter than they are."

"Work is love made visible."

"I am not interested in being liked. I am interested in being respected."

"The thing about life is that it goes on whether you're ready for it or not."

"I learned to find laughter in the darkest moments."