Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

The Best Dolly Parton Quotes On Life, Love, Success, and Everything in Between

25 Dolly Parton Quotes
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

These Dolly Parton quotes are bits and pieces of what the country superstar has picked up all through the years since her humble beginnings in Tennessee. Reading them will surely make your day!

On Life

“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 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. - Dolly Parton Quotes

“I feel that sin and evil are the negative part of you, and I think it’s like a battery: you’ve got to have the negative and the positive in order to be a complete person.”

“Everybody’s life is a soap opera. Everybody’s life is a country western song, depends on who’s writing it.”

“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

On Love

“I think everyone should be free to love who they want, there’s not enough love in this world, so find love where you can. And if you find it, consider yourself lucky.”

RELATED: Dolly Parton and Husband Carl Thomas Dean Kicking and Screaming Into the Next 50 Years of Marriage

“I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are and to love who they love.”

I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are and to love who they love. - Dolly Parton Quotes

On Hardships

“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.”

“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

“I have to not harden my heart, because I want to stay open to feel things. So when I hurt, I hurt all over. And when I cry, I cry real hard. And when I’m mad, I’m mad all over. I’m just a person; I like to experience whatever the feeling is and whatever I’m going through.”

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. - Dolly Parton Quotes

On Business Success

“You know, I look like a woman, but I think like a man. And in this world of business, that has helped me a lot. Because by the time they think that I don’t know what’s goin’ on, I then got the money, and am gone.”

“I do believe that any successful business starts from the top and works its way down.”

RELATED: Dolly Parton’s Net Worth and How She Generously Put It to Good Use

“You gotta keep trying to find your niche and trying to fit into whatever slot that’s left for you or to make one of your own.”

“I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.”

I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else. - Dolly Parton Quotes

On Being A Woman

“I still believe that women should get paid equal and should be treated with respect. I’m all about that. I don’t get out and have to preach it or march in the streets, I write about it.”

On Style

“The only way I’d be caught without make-up is if my radio fell in the bathtub while I was taking a bath and electrocuted me and I was in between make-up at home. I hope my husband would slap a little lipstick on me before he took me to the morgue.”

“I make jokes about it, but it’s the truth that I kind of patterned my look after the town tramp. I didn’t know what she was, just this woman who was blonde and piled her hair up, wore high heels and tight skirts, and, boy, she was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. Momma used to say, ‘Aw, she’s just trash,’ and I thought, ‘That’s what I want to be when I grow up. Trash.’”

“A lot of people have said I’d have probably done better in my career if I hadn’t looked so cheap and gaudy. But I dress to be comfortable for me, and you shouldn’t be blamed because you want to look pretty.”

On Dieting

“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren’t in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.”

On Work

“After you reach a certain age, they think you’re over. Well, I will never be over. I’ll be making records if I have to sell them out of the trunk of my car. I’ve done that in my past, and I’d do it again.”

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.”

If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader. - Dolly Parton Quotes

Indeed, these Dolly Parton quotes prove the country star knows how to keep things in perspective.

Trending

Latest Stories

Young Oaklynn Rae Domer, 3-year-old daughter of WPRA champion Kelsie Domer, smiles atop brown horse in saddle at rodeo arena with hills behind, days before tragic February 19, 2026 accident sparks widespread pink tributes in mourning.

Pink Tributes Flood the Arena as Rodeo Community Grieves Oaklynn Rae Domer

A sea of pink has filled rodeo arenas across the country as the community mourns the heartbreaking loss of three-year-old Oaklynn Rae Domer. The rodeo world continues to grieve following ...

Kelsie Domer, WPRA champion breakaway roper, poses with husband and toddler daughter Oaklynn Rae Domer holding championship buckles and plaques at rodeo arena, days before tragic horse accident claims 3-year-old's life on February 19, 2026.

Rodeo World Mourns 3-Year-Old Oaklynn Rae Domer After Tragic Horse Accident

3-year-old Oaklynn Rae Domer, daughter of WPRCA champion Kelsie Domer, dies in a freak horse accident, but the rodeo world honors her with pink tributes. The rodeo world is grieving ...

Brianna Chickenfry speaks on Impaulsive podcast in tan suede jacket, revealing Zach Bryan's $12M NDA terms banning social media and work for 5 years, while slamming his 2025 wedding as a dig at her.

Brianna Chickenfry Reveals What Was in Zach Bryan’s $12M NDA as She Slams His Wedding

Brianna Chickenfry is shedding new light on the $12 million NDA she says ex Zach Bryan asked her to sign, while also taking fresh shots at his recent wedding. During ...

Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll walk arm-in-arm at event, Bunnie in white dress and bold makeup, Jelly Roll in black vest with "Bunny" patch, tattoos visible, as they embrace faith as "baby Christians" after rediscovering God.

Bunnie XO Calls Herself and Jelly Roll “Baby Christians” After Finding God Again

Bunnie XO says she and Jelly Roll are “baby Christians” learning to walk in faith together after finding their way back to God. The Dumb Blonde podcast host, whose real ...

Riley Green makes acting debut as former Navy SEAL Garrett in Yellowstone spinoff Marshals, standing with brown horse by rustic barn in cowboy hat, denim jacket, and mustache in official promo image ahead of March 1 premiere.

Riley Green Confirmed for Role in ‘Yellowstone’ Universe Series ‘Marshals’

Riley Green is officially saddling up for a ride into the Yellowstone universe. After weeks of fan speculation and a trailer moment that sent social media into overdrive, it has ...

Kid Rock performs energetically on stage in black leather jacket, feathered black hat, aviator sunglasses, and rings, microphone in hand during Freedom 250 Tour, defending $5,000 front-row ticket prices for premium proximity.

Kid Rock Charging $5,000 for Front Row Seats on Freedom 250 Tour

Kid Rock’s Freedom 250 Tour is drawing attention not just for the music, but for the price of its front-row seats. The rocker is selling “First Class Seats” for $5,000 ...

Luke Combs and wife Nicole smile with newborn son Chet Wiley Combs in cozy family portrait, big brothers Tex and Beau gazing at baby brother on window seat, celebrating arrival of third boy announced February 19, 2026.

It’s a Boy Again! Luke Combs and Nicole Welcome Baby No. 3

The Combs family just got a little bigger and a lot sweeter. Luke Combs and his wife, Nicole, have welcomed their third child, another baby boy, officially making them a ...

Brianna Chickenfry and Samantha Leonard side-by-side comparison in split image, highlighting uncanny resemblance with dark hair, similar facial features, and intense gazes amid claims Zach Bryan's marriage was a dig at his ex.

Brianna Chickenfry Says Zach Bryan’s Marriage Was “All a Dig at Me”

The post-breakup drama between Brianna Chickenfry and Zach Bryan is not slowing down. During a February 17 appearance on the Impaulsive podcast with Logan Paul and Mike Majlak, Brianna LaPaglia, ...

Trace Adkins performs live on stage in black pinstripe suit and cowboy hat, microphone in hand under colorful lights, hinting 2026 30th Anniversary Tour may be his final road run at age 64.

Trace Adkins Hints 2026 Tour May Be His Final Run on the Road

Trace Adkins is leaving the door open for 2026 to be his final year on the road. The country veteran recently sparked retirement speculation after hinting that his current 30th ...

Riley Green and Ella Langley smile together in golf cart at event, Riley in white Texas Rangers jersey and cowboy hat, Ella in white top holding red cup, celebrating her "Choosin' Texas" No. 1 chart success and Alabama roots.

Riley Green Applauds Ella Langley’s Chart Dominance and Alabama Roots

Riley Green is tipping his hat to one of his own. As Ella Langley celebrates making history with “Choosin’ Texas,” fellow Alabama native Riley Green is making it clear he ...