Big hair, big dreams, and larger than life advice.
By Lindsey Matthews — Written on Dec 10, 2020
It’s no secret that Dolly Parton is an absolute icon and overall, one of the most legendary women of all time.
Parton is known for her larger than life personality, and these Dolly Parton quotes give us a glimpse into the full life she's lived that leaves us with motivation and little bits of wisdom.
She has blessed us all with her musical talents since 1967 and has starred in many movies as well. Parton’s best-known movies are Steel Magnolia’s and her many Hallmark Christmas specials, while her top hits include Jolene, 9 to 5, and Islands in the Stream, to name a few.
In and out of her songs she continues to offer us insightful advice on life and love.
Dolly Parton Quotes
Check out these 50 Dolly Parton quotes to get your Dolly-approved advice.
1. “I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.” — Dolly Parton
2. “Everybody has their own journey; they have their own way of doing things. And who am I to judge?” — Dolly Parton
3. “You don’t have to look like everybody else. You don’t have to be a raving beauty to be special and to be beautiful.” — Dolly Parton
4. “I always count my blessings more than I count my money.” – Dolly Parton
5. “Everybody’s life is a soap opera, everybody’s life is a country-western song, depends on who’s writing it.” — Dolly Parton
6. “If you see someone without a smile today, give them yours.” — Dolly Parton
7. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” — Dolly Parton
8. “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!” — Dolly Parton
9. “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” — Dolly Parton
10. “The magic is inside you, there ain’t no crystal ball.” — Dolly Parton
11. “I never have considered myself a perfectionist, but I do think of myself as a ‘professionalist’. I always strive simply to be my very best.” — Dolly Parton
12. “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” — Dolly Parton
13. “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” — Dolly Parton
14. “Storms make trees take deeper roots.” — Dolly Parton
15. “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” — Dolly Parton
16. "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap." — Dolly Parton
17. “Never ignore your roots, your home, or your hair.” — Dolly Parton
18. “A rhinestone shines just as good as a diamond.” — Dolly Parton
19. “Dreams are of no value if they’re not equipped with wings.” — Dolly Parton
20 “My weaknesses have always been food and men, in that order.” — Dolly Parton
21. “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton
22. “When someone shows me their true colors, I believe them.” — Dolly Parton
23. “A bird and a fish can fall in love, but where do they make a home?” — Dolly Parton
24. “Wouldn’t it be something if we could have things we love in abundance without their losing that special attraction the want of them held for us.” — Dolly Parton
25. “Smile, it increases your face value.” — Dolly Parton
26. “I don’t kiss nobody’s butt.” — Dolly Parton
27. “Were all just a bunch of sinners, but we do the best we can.” — Dolly Parton
28. “A lot of dreams can turn to nightmares … if you don’t really work them.” — Dolly Parton
29. “No one is ever successful at everything they do.” — Dolly Parton
30. “Everybody has a purpose.” — Dolly Parton
31. “It’s not easy being young. It’s hard to know what to do.” — Dolly Parton
32. “When I got something to say, I’ll say it.” — Dolly Parton
33. “I’m not intimidated by how people perceive me.” — Dolly Parton
34. “The poorer people are, the more generous they seem to be.” — Dolly Parton
35. “Every seven years, I sit down and make a whole new plan.” — Dolly Parton
36. “I love traveling all over the world, but it’s true, there’s nothing like home.” — Dolly Parton
37. “I don’t make people bend over backyards, and I don’t like that in people. I am definitely no diva.” — Dolly Parton
38. “I think everyone should be with who they love.” — Dolly Parton
39. “Life is a song to me.” — Dolly Parton
40. “I don’t think you ever really know what al you’re doing, so you have to act on faith.” — Dolly Parton
41. “Living in America, and of course, just being women in general, we’ve got more strength than we think we do.” — Dolly Parton
42. “Money ain’t everything.” — Dolly Parton
43. “Look like a woman but think like a man.” — Dolly Parton
44. “Leave something good in every day.” — Dolly Parton
45. “I’ve had heartaches, headaches, toothaches, earaches, and I’ve had a few pains in the ass, but I’ve survived to tell about it.” — Dolly Parton
46. “I’ll never harden my heart, but I’ve toughened the muscles around it.” — Dolly Parton
47. “I love everybody. My heart’s open to everybody.” — Dolly Parton
48. “Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing.” — Dolly Parton
49. “Love is something sent from heaven to worry the hell out of you.” — Dolly Parton
50. “I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence.” — Dolly Parton
More for You:
Lindsey Matthews is a writer who covers love and relationships, news, and pop-culture topics.