Dolly Parton

I don't like to give advice. I like to give people information because everyone's life is different, and everyone's journey is different.

I can't tell anybody else how to run their life or their business, but I really believe I've got a good bead on myself.

Life is a song to me.

I'm working on my life story. I'm not decided if it's going to be a musical or a movie with music in it.

When you're 40, you can't ride the fence anymore. You gotta make definite decisions about your life.

I think so many people live their whole life in fear and doubt and shame.

I've always kinda been a little outcast myself, a little oddball, doin' my thing, my own way. And it's been hard for me to, to be accepted, certainly in the early years of my life.

My life has been very full.

I do remember how it was to be poor. I do remember that in my early years, we had to grow and raise all of our food, even our animals. And I remember in my early life, we didn't even have electricity. So it was very, very hard times then.

Everywhere I go, the kids call me 'the book lady.' The older I get, the more appreciative I seem to be of the 'book lady' title. It makes me feel more like a legitimate person, not just a singer or an entertainer. But it makes me feel like I've done something good with my life and with my success.

Adjusting to the passage of time, I think, is a key to success and to life: just being able to roll with the punches.

I say, 'Yeah, Taylor Swift.' I think she is a smart, beautiful girl. I think she's making all the right moves. She's got a good head on her shoulders. She's surrounded with wonderful people. Her songs are great. She keeps herself anchored. She knows who she is, and she's living and standing by that.