36 All-Time Best Dolly Parton Quotes To Live By

Have a giggle, and take notes. Here are our favorite Dolly Parton quotes.

Updated on April 30, 2024

These favorite quotes from Dolly Parton show she has a way with words. When it comes to doling out razor-sharp quips that make us laugh, and then make us think, and then make us want to be better, Dolly Parton is unrivaled. We've regaled our readers with many of the Tennessee queen's notable quotes before, such as her thoughts on beauty, those on faith and family, and others on success. However, some deserve all the praise and then some. Here are Dolly Parton's all-time best quotes to live by.

01 of 05

Inspirational Dolly Parton Quotes

"Storms make trees take deeper roots."
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."
"Find out who you are. And do it on purpose."
"If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours."
"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."
"I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence."
“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
“When someone shows you their true colors, believe them.”
"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."

02 of 05

Funny Dolly Parton Quotes

"Every single diet I ever fell off of was because of potatoes and gravy of some sort."
"My weaknesses have always been food and men—in that order."
“I was the first woman to burn my bra—it took the fire department four days to put it out.”
“I have pretty good skin considering my age, and I think a lot of it is mineral oil and bacon grease.”
“I have little feet because nothing grows in the shade.”
“People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there.”
“I am a self-made woman, and I have the doctor bills to prove it.”
"My songs are like my children—I expect them to support me when I'm old."

03 of 05

Dolly Parton Quotes About Being Positive

Dolly Parton Quote About Appreciation — Southern Living

"I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world."
"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."
"When I wake up, I expect things to be good. If they're not, then I try to set about trying to make them as good as I can 'cause I know I'm gonna have to live that day anyway. So why not try to make the most of it if you can?"
"You can wish your life away. But if you're going to dream, you're going to have to get out and, like I always say, you have to put some wings on them dreams, and some feet and fingers and some hands. They gotta get into some stuff. You can't just sit around and think of all the things you want to do. You've got to think of what you want to do, and then you've got to get out and make that happen."
“I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.”
“If I can hold God's attention, I can hold the world's.”

04 of 05

Dolly Parton Quotes On Being Yourself

Funny Dolly Parton Quote About Youth — Southern Living

"People say, 'how you stay looking so young?' I say, well, good lighting, good doctors, and good makeup."
"I'm not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know that I'm not a blonde."
"You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!"
“It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.”
"I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love.”
"A rhinestone shines just as good as a diamond.”
“The magic is inside you, there ain’t no crystal ball."

05 of 05

Dolly Parton Quotes About Success

Dolly Parton Quote About Being A Star — Southern Living

"Being a star just means that you just find your own special place, and that you shine where you are."
"I'm the little engine that did."
“I’ve always tried to never step on anybody to get where I am. I’ve had to walk around a few people, jump over a few of ‘em now and then, but I think you’re a true success when you’ve seen your dreams come true and you can take pride in how you did it, and take pride in and respect and appreciate the people that helped you get there.”
“Above everything else I've done, I've always said I've had more guts than I've got talent.”
"You always want your people to be proud of what you have accomplished."

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