Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton's guide to life: 17 quotes to live by

19 January 2016

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Dolly Parton transcends the term 'national treasure'; her appeal is international and her charm universally irresistible. She's loved the world over for her unique, soulful singing voice, huge smile and overriding warmth.

She might look like Barbie, but Parton's thoughts on the world are as sage as they come. Read her musings on love, heartbreak, feminism, age and how to live your life positively in our round-up of her most unforgettable, entertaining and witty quotes ever.

For all those, who have ever wondered what it would be like to go on a date with Parton, read GLAMOUR associate editor James Conrad Williams' story here.

On being brave
"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."
On her appearance
"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."
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On being yourself always
"Find out who you are and do it on purpose."
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On blonde jokes
"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."

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On being positive
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. I was born with a happy heart. I’m always looking for things to be better."
Wenn
On her alterego
"If I hadn't been a woman, I'd be a drag queen for sure. I like all that flair and I'd be dressing up in them high heels and putting on the big hair. I'd be like Ru Paul."
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On heartbreak
"I'll never harden my heart, but I have toughened the strings around it."
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On smiling
"Smile, it increases your face value"

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On being underestimated
"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 gone."
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On her heels
“I do wear high heels in the house – otherwise I can't reach the cabinets! I don't wear my heels in the shower or when I sleep – and I wear my little tennis shoes when I do my treadmill – but when I go out, of course I will. That's my look and that's how I'm always gonna be."
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On feeling sad
"I'm not happy all the time, and I wouldn't want to be because that would make me a shallow person."
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On improving life
"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."

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On thinking big
"I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else."
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On being a good judge of character
"When someone shows you their true colours, believe them!"
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On aging
"Stop this attitude that older people ain't any good anymore! We're as good as we ever were - if we ever were any good."
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On making the most of each day
"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? Some days, they pan out a little better than others, but you still gotta always just try."

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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."