I feel like humans are a disease. It's a hard thing to communicate in a pop song. I mean, who wants to hear that?

I started performing opera when I was 10 years old. I didn't perform as Zola Jesus until I was probably 18.

I don't know why people think I'm a Goth - that's a misconception.

You are born and then you die, but in between you can do anything you want. It's society that creates rules for us, but you can break out of that.

The most important thing for us to do as beings is to be aware of our position in the world on a micro and macro level.

My music started as a way to break through weaknesses - like anxiety, which was completely taking over my whole life, where I could barely function.

No matter what you do, if there's something you're afraid of, you need to break through it.

I like to remind myself that everything is meaningless.

And my music is always such a release of what I feel inside, an impulse.

I know for sure that nothing matters.

I feel like I am alone when I am in the presence of those I love. It is so freeing and comfortable, you become one with them.

For ages men had used sticks to club and spear each other—Anaximander of Miletus used the stick to measure time.

I get along with guys most of my friends are guys. It's easier to trust men sometimes. I only have a few close girlfriends that I trust.

The whole pot-to-alcohol thing is a huge issue with me, because I've grown to hate drunks so much, and like potheads.

The Muslims observe their Sabbath on Friday, the Jews observe on Saturday, and the Christians on Sunday. By the time Monday rolls around God is completely f***in' worn out.

She was like a butterfly, full of color and vibrancy when she chose to open her wings, yet hardly visible when she closed them.

I think a lot of women innately know how to play their hand. I'm not a big one for the rules.

We're looking as far ahead as we can, and we don't get penalized for mistakes.

I'm relating to a period that doesn't exist anymore.

Governments are like underwear. They start smelling pretty bad if you don't change them once in a while.

the appetite for thinking must be regulated, as all sensible people know, for it may stifle one's life.