Recommended Free Tools
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
These 37 Dolly Parton quotes bring together practical encouragement, reflections on work and relationships, and the self-deprecating humor that is part of her public voice. They are a curated collection, not a definitive ranking. Wording follows the cited publications; many quote retrospectives do not identify an original interview or date for each line.
Optimism and perspective
- “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian and the Dolly on Dolly preview.
- “A positive attitude and a sense of humor go together like biscuits and gravy.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian and The Independent.
- “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “The way I see it, you should live every day like it’s your birthday.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
Persistence and resilience
- “I never tried quitting, and I never quit trying.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian and The Independent.
- “If you want the bright lights, you gotta put up with the dark.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “Storms make trees take deeper roots.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “I always count my blessings more than I count my money.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
Work, ambition and making a life
- “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian and The Independent.
- “The magic is inside you. There ain’t no crystal ball.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “I would never stoop to be fashionable. I’d rather be myself.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I’m not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb — and I also know that I’m not blonde.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “I don’t mind being called a dumb blonde, because I know I’m not dumb, and I also know I’m not blonde.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
Self-expression and appearance
- “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian and the Dolly on Dolly preview.
- “I’m not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb — and I also know that I’m not blonde.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “I look just like the girls in the magazines. The ones they use to sell people hair color and makeup and diet products.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I’m not a natural beauty. I’m not ashamed of that.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
Love, kindness and relationships
- “I will always love you.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I think everybody should be able to be who they are and love who they love.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “You can’t make somebody love you, but you can make yourself somebody who can be loved.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “I try to treat everybody like I want to be treated.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
Humor, confidence and Dollyisms
- “A positive attitude and a sense of humor go together like biscuits and gravy.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I’m not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb — and I also know that I’m not blonde.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “If you’re looking for trouble, you came to the right place.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by Vogue.
- “I’m not a natural beauty. I’m not ashamed of that.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “I would never stoop to be fashionable. I’d rather be myself.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
- “I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Independent.
- “The magic is inside you. There ain’t no crystal ball.” — Dolly Parton, as reproduced by The Guardian.
Quote collections often repeat lines in slightly different forms. These selections retain the wording given by the named retrospective; they do not establish an original interview or date for every saying. The preview for Dolly on Dolly describes such circulated sayings as “Dollyisms” and points readers to collections including The Quotable Dolly and Pocket Dolly Wisdom.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Rank #4
Rank #3
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics
- Packed with never-before-seen photographs and classic memorabilia|Explores personal stories candid insights and myriad memories behind the songs|Learn the history behind classic Parton songs like “Jolene ” “9 to 5 ” “I Will Always Love You ” and more.|The perfect gift for Dolly Parton fans (everyone loves Dolly!) as well as lovers of music history and country
#1 Best Overall
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Ain't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton | $18.72 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics | $61.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Star of the Show: My Life on Stage | $27.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Dolly Parton Biography | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
