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.

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?

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.

Change is a good thing. It's good to have a fresh start, even if it's painful sometimes.

I can't recall the sound of your voiceStill, I bring flowers and meet the skyask it to hold me, too.

Well, they say there is no real faith without doubt.

I walked inside and paused for a moment to breathe in the scent of paper and dust—the perfumes of knowledge.

Disciples who are steadfast and immovable do not become fanatics or extremists, are not overzealous, and are not preoccupied with misguided gospel hobbies.

we perceive silence where, in fact, there is a muffler.

Alexander received more bravery of mind by the pattern of Achilles, than by hearing the definition of fortitude.

There cannot be any great happiness in the married life except each in turn give up his or her own humors and lesser inclinations.

I grew up on basketball, volleyball, that sort of thing. For me, track and field was a whole 'nother beast.

A good half of the effort of understanding what the Indian philosophers were after - and their subtleties make most of the great European philosophers look like schoolboys.