Bette Midler Quotes

I think that we're our own worst enemies in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to doing work where you're criticized a lot or doing work where there's a lot of hater directed at you; and to not constantly second-guess yourself.

If we can’t stand up to the never good enough and who do you think you are? we can’t move forward.

I think I was in high school, actually, and it was a guidance counselor or someone said, you know, you're just too loud; like you need to just stop talking so much and stop being so opinionated; like no one wants to listen to you because you're really annoying. And I'm glad that I didn't shut up, because it seems like people are listening.

If I listened to my critics, I would still be at home under my bed right now.

How can I tell my daughter when she grows up to aspire to be what she wants to be if I am too scared to hop back in the ring because of what some people have said about me?

There is this fine line between presenting to You all of my weakness and thinking that it can't be done. In Your strength, I find my own.

I just feel like I'm going to be criticized regardless of what I do next, so I might as well do something that I feel really passionate about.

And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’ But I’ll know my song well before I start singin

Approval isn’t necessary. It’s nice when you get it, but it’s not going to stop us from being who we are. I mean, if I’d have listened to approval, I’d never have made it one day onstage. But to be criticized, if there’s validity, as upset as you are, you can learn from it.

I think anybody goes through a crisis of confidence from time to time. You have to kind of doubt yourself, sometimes. It's the way forward.

It's easier to say, 'Don't care about what anyone thinks,' than it is to actually not care about what anyone thinks. But, honestly, anything you're passionate about, that's what you'll be the best at.

It's murder to doubt yourself in life. It took until I was 45 to get to that point. As hard as it is in your work, it's harder in your life. But it can be done.

I hated modeling. I was so scared. But as soon as I started doing jewelry, I did better as a model.

I'm voraciously looking to express myself in my work. I love my work.

I was proud of 'Robin Hood,' even though critics wrote negative things. But I had to laugh when this big, shaven-headed Hungarian stunt guy first saw me. He said, 'You Jonas? You playing Robin Hood? You need to go to the gym today.' So I thought, 'I'm going to show people.'

Do not let yourself get in your own way. Don't judge yourself and knock yourself down. There is enough of that out there already. Remember: you are an artist, and you bring something special to this craft. Take in notes and criticism, but don't let them define you. Don't try to become a watered down version of yourself.

My job, my whole life, I've always had that kind of doubter, people have always doubted me. And I don't know how I would succeed without it. So I welcome it, and it gives me a challenge, and I will see if I can live up to my challenge.

Until now, I was insecure and I believed what the people around me said in regarding what I should sing.

I know a lot of people didn't understand why I came back, and people are still going to say it was stupid and it was the wrong decision. But I'm happy.

My voice is stronger today than ever.

I've been shut down, run down, talked about, dogged out, but that never stopped me from the being the true me that's here and will be here.

Even my closest friend said I was finished, but I think I may be a little different from the others.

I'm going to skate exactly the way I want to, create programs that I like, and everything will fall into place where it is supposed to.

Believe in yourself, listen to your gut, and do what you love.

I wish sometimes people wouldn't underestimate me. But it's a fleeting wish. It's not where I live.