Doctors removed my gallbladder and pancreas, which are supposed to break down sugar and alcohol.

Singing is my life. And when I can do that, that's when I'm free. That's when I'm at my happiest, I'm at my most.

I'm not going to sing something if it doesn't make sense to me, or if it makes me look like I'm begging someone or I'm weak, because that's not me.

I'm singing, you know, because I'm happy and I'm free.

Some people can sit down and write a song, but they can't go on stage like I can.

Play with me and you play with fire.

I'm going to keep on keeping on as long as I've got my health and strength, and God gives me that will to do it.

God's eye is on a sparrow. And I know - oh, yes, I know he watches over me...

Music is my happiness, my joy, and when my body wasn't right I couldn't get into my music without being healed, without being healthy.

When I'm on tour, I don't see these spots as much as I'd like. I'm just in, I perform, then I'm out. I hope to spend years sightseeing, then more years after that.

I miss my hair, but I feel like going out there with some fake braids wouldn't be right. I want to be the most genuine performer I can be.

Your calling is calling you, are you answering?

When one does not understand death, life can be very confusing.

Goal achievement is hero's work.

There are a million things I'd rather do before designing clothes: directing, landscaping.

This is the greatest paradox: the emotions cannot be trusted; yet it is the emotions that tell us the greatest truths.

Tolerance is really a better thing than understanding. Because it doesn't agitate against human nature.

I'll transform anything as long as it's edible.

The semi-colon is a burp, a hiccup. It's a drunk staggering out of the saloon at 2 a.m., grabbing your lapels on the way and asking you to listen to one more story.

Our friends show us what we can do; our enemies teach us what we must do.

People have no idea what one saint can do: for sanctity is stronger than the whole of hell.