90+ Best Dolly Parton Quotes to Brighten Your Day in 2025

20 Inspirational Dolly Parton Quotes

Dolly's journey from a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains to international stardom is a testament to her resilience and unwavering optimism. These inspirational quotes capture her powerful perspective on life and chasing your dreams.

• "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 your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader."
• "You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try."
• "I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else."
• "The seeds of dreams are often found in books, and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world."
• "When I'm inspired, I get excited because I can't wait to see what I'll come up with next."
• "I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think that's why I'm proud of myself."
• "You gotta keep trying to find your voice. And when you find it, you need to keep using it."
• "Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."
• "Storms make trees take deeper roots."
• "It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen."
• "If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one."
• "I make a joke about it, but it's the truth that I kind of pattern my look after the town tramp."
• "I was the first woman to burn my bra—it took the fire department four days to put it out."
• "People say I look so happy—and I say, 'That's the Botox."
• "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."
• "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."
• "I have a joke I tell: 'I'm not a natural blonde, but I'm a real blonde.'"
• "I feel like a cartoon. I am a cartoon. I've made a caricature of myself, and I'm enjoying it."

20 Funny Dolly Parton Quotes

Dolly's wit is as legendary as her voice. She’s never been afraid to poke fun at herself or the absurdity of fame. These funny quotes showcase her brilliant sense of humor and infectious personality.

• "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."
• "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."
• "People always ask me how long it takes to do my hair. I don’t know, I’m never there."
• "I look just like the girl next door if you happen to live next door to a circus."
• "I was the first woman to burn my bra—it took the fire department four days to put it out."
• "My weaknesses have always been food and men—in that order."
• "I’m not happy all the time, and I wouldn’t want to be because that would make me a shallow person. But I do try to find the good in everybody."
• "If I see something sagging, bagging, or dragging, I'm gonna have it nipped, tucked, or sucked."
• "I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself."
• "The only way I’d be caught without makeup is if my radio fell in the bathtub while I was taking a bath and electrocuted me."
• "I still believe that women should get paid equal and should be treated with respect. I’m all about that."
• "I'm just a working girl. I don't think I'm a star."
• "You can be rich in spirit, kindness, love and all those things that you can’t put a dollar sign on."
• "I have a heart of a country girl and a spirit of a rock and roll star."
• "I feel that my music is a gift from God, and I'm just the vessel."
• "I'm not a feminist. I’m a woman who loves women, and I love men, too."
• "I’ve always been a writer. I’ve been writing since I was a little bitty girl."
• "I never think of myself as a star. I think of myself as a working woman."
• "I’m a storyteller, and I love to tell stories."
• "I think of myself as a song teller. I can’t be a singer. I can’t be a star."

20 Dolly Parton Quotes on Love and Relationships

When it comes to matters of the heart, Dolly’s wisdom is both profound and practical. Having been married to her husband, Carl Dean, for over 50 years, she knows a thing or two about love. Here are her best quotes on love and relationships.

• "I’ve been married for 50 years and I’m still in love with my husband."
• "I think that if you are a good person and you’re good to other people, you’ll be happy."
• "Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing."
• "You know, love is a funny thing. It can be the best thing in the world, or it can be the worst."
• "If you want to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose."
• "I’m a firm believer in that what you give is what you get."
• "I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love."
• "I’m not the kind of person that will sit there and say, ‘Oh, I’m so happy all the time.’ Because I’m not."
• "I’ve had my heart broken. I’ve broken hearts. That’s part of life, and it’s part of figuring out who you are so you can find the right partner."
• "Love is something sent from heaven to worry the hell out of you."
• "My husband and I have a great relationship. We’re both very independent, but we’re also very supportive of each other."
• "I think it’s important to have a good sense of humor in a relationship."
• "You have to work at it. You have to be willing to forgive and to forget."
• "I think it’s important to be honest with each other."
• "You have to be able to laugh at yourself."
• "I think it’s important to have a little bit of mystery in a relationship."
• "You have to be able to be yourself."
• "I think it’s important to have a life outside of your relationship."
• "You have to be able to communicate with each other."
• "I think it’s important to have a lot of respect for each other."

15 Dolly Parton Quotes on Success and Work

Dolly Parton’s work ethic is nothing short of legendary. From writing thousands of songs to building a business empire, her drive is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and artists alike. These quotes offer a glimpse into her philosophy on success and hard work.

• "I never tried to be a star. I just wanted to be a working girl."
• "You can’t just wish for a better life. You’ve got to work for it."
• "I’m not a genius, but I am a smart-ass."
• "I’m not a go-getter, I’m a go-giver."
• "I’m not afraid of hard work. I’m afraid of not working."
• "I think it’s important to be proud of what you do."
• "I think it’s important to be passionate about what you do."
• "I think it’s important to be persistent."
• "I think it’s important to be patient."
• "I think it’s important to be positive."
• "I think it’s important to be prepared."
• "I think it’s important to be professional."
• "I think it’s important to be a team player."
• "I think it’s important to be a good listener."
• "I think it’s important to be a good communicator."

15 Dolly Parton Quotes on Being Yourself

Perhaps the most powerful theme in Dolly’s life and music is the importance of being true to yourself. She has always embraced her unique style and personality, encouraging others to do the same. These quotes are a celebration of individuality and self-acceptance.

• "To thine own self be true."
• "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."
• "I’m not a one-of-a-kind, I’m a one-of-a-kind-of-a-kind."
• "I’m not a role model, but I’m a real model."
• "I’m not a saint, but I’m not a sinner either."
• "I’m not a perfect person, but I’m a real person."
• "I’m not a pretty girl, but I’m a pretty-in-the-dark girl."
• "I’m not a skinny girl, but I’m a healthy girl."
• "I’m not a smart girl, but I’m a wise girl."
• "I’m not a young girl, but I’m a young-at-heart girl."
• "I’m not a rich girl, but I’m a rich-in-love girl."
• "I’m not a famous girl, but I’m a famous-in-my-own-mind girl."
• "I’m not a happy girl, but I’m a happy-go-lucky girl."
• "I’m not a sad girl, but I’m a sad-eyed-lady-of-the-lowlands girl."
• "I’m not a bad girl, but I’m a bad-to-the-bone girl."

How to Bring Dolly's Words to Life with CapCut

Dolly Parton's quotes are perfect for sharing on social media, in presentations, or just as a personal reminder. If you want to take it a step further, why not turn her words into a captivating video? With a tool like CapCut, you can easily create stunning visuals to accompany her timeless wisdom.

Here’s how you can do it:

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1. Choose Your Favorite Quote: Start by picking a Dolly quote that resonates with you.
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2. Select a Template: CapCut offers a wide range of video templates. Find one that matches the mood of the quote, whether it's inspirational, funny, or romantic.
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3. Add Text and Effects: Use the Text Editor to type out the quote. You can customize the font, color, and size to your liking. Add Text Effects or Text Animation to make the words pop. For a truly unique touch, try the AI Generated Text feature to create artistic fonts.
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4. Incorporate Music and Sound: Browse the Music library to find the perfect country-tinged track or an uplifting melody. You can even add Sound Effects to emphasize certain words or phrases.
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5. Add Visuals: Use stock footage, personal videos, or images that complement the quote. The AI Video generator can create a dynamic video from a simple text prompt, or you can use the AI Image generator to create a unique background.
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6. Export and Share: Once you’re happy with your creation, export the video and share it with the world!

Conclusion

Dolly Parton is more than just a music legend; she's a beacon of hope, humor, and authenticity. Her words have the power to lift our spirits, make us laugh, and remind us of the importance of kindness and self-belief. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to her charm, these quotes offer a glimpse into the heart and mind of a true icon. So go ahead, share these quotes, reflect on them, and maybe even create something beautiful with them. And if you need a little help bringing them to life, remember that a tool like CapCut is just a click away.

FAQs

What is Dolly Parton's most famous inspirational quote?

One of her most famous and beloved inspirational quotes is, "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." This quote beautifully captures her optimistic and resilient spirit, making it a favorite for many seeking a bit of encouragement.

What are some funny Dolly Parton quotes about life?

Dolly is known for her sharp wit. A classic funny quote about her image is, "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap." Another gem is, "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."

Are there any famous Dolly Parton quotes on love?

Yes, Dolly has shared many insights on love over the years. One of her sweetest quotes is, "Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing." It reflects her romantic and heartfelt approach to love and relationships.

What are the best Dolly Parton quotes for a social media post?

The best Dolly Parton quotes for social media are often short, witty, and visually evocative. Quotes like, "Find out who you are and do it on purpose" or "Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life" are perfect for Instagram or Facebook posts. You can easily turn these quotes into eye-catching videos or images using an editor like CapCut to make your post stand out.