Diana Ross quotes:

They tell me that it will be hard to find a man strong enough to love my own strength and independence, and not worry about being Mr. Diana Ross, but I disagree. I know absolutely that that man is somewhere out there.

People don't know about the human part of me that really cares about the world. For instance, I don't know what I feel about wearing my furs anymore. I worked so hard to have a fur coat, and I don't want to wear it anymore because I'm so wrapped up in the animals. I have real deep thoughts about it because I care about the world and nature.

I look forward to the future - and going into the studio to make new music.

You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself.

Years ago I wanted to buy an apartment in New York City. I was a single female - I had gone through my divorce - I had three children, I was in show business and black. It was, like, impossible.

With the Supremes I made so much money so fast all I wanted to do was buy clothes and pretty things. Now I'm comfortable with money and it's comfortable with me.

I even thought of adopting a child as a single mother.

I don't know what I feel about wearing my furs anymore. I worked so hard to have a fur coat, and I don't want to wear it anymore because I'm so wrapped up in the animals. I have real deep thoughts about it because I care about the world and nature.

Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead twenty years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then.

You can always tell where Diana Ross has been by the hair that's left behind!

I majored in fashion design in school, and I have always wanted to design my own line of clothing, jewelry, and stuff like that; so this was just a step for me in that direction.

Being a parent is very important to me.

Take a little time out of your busy day to give encouragement to someone who's lost their way.

I really, deeply believe that dreams do come true. Often, they might not come when you want them. They come in their own time.

You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.

I think a responsibility comes with notoriety, but I never think of it as power. It's more like something you hold, like grains of sand. If you keep your hand closed, you can have it and possess it, but if you open your fingers in any way, you can lose it just as quickly.

I'm not really a songwriter - I'm an interpreter. So in a sense I am an actress first and foremost. I act out the songs, and I lead with my heart.

I learned something from that. If someone asks me something that I really don't want to do, I say no. I have to trust that. And I'm not afraid to talk money.

One thing you cannot control is nature.

I don't judge people by their sexual orientation or the color of their skin, so I find it really hard to identify someone by saying that they're a gay person or a black person or a Jewish person.

I don't like to have too many makeup artists around, so I always like to do my own.

So I'm not worried about the emotions I carry with me, because I'm happy that I have them; I think it's good for the work I do. The emotions that are not healthy are the ones you hold inside, like anger.

Criticism, even when you try to ignore it, can hurt. I have cried over many articles written about me, but I move on and I don't hold on to that .

I think that if my voice for some reason changes - because your voice does change - then it's time for me not to sing.

I keep a great organiser, I try to keep my priorities in the right place.

I can be a better me than anyone can.

I'm a parent, and I try to take care of my health and keep my life in order. In the last few years I've really had to decide what's important to me, and it seems to me that my family and my health are top on the list. And those have nothing to do with show business.

My family called me a wiggle tail because I was a little skinny, wiry kid full of energy.

Icon. What is an icon? When someone is iconic it means they have established a certain kind of legacy possibly, and I think it does come with time. It's something in the arts, I feel. Maybe not, maybe it doesn't have to be in the arts exactly. I'm not really sure. But I don't think you are born an icon.

I don't think getting in and out of a limousine has anything to do with being an icon.

If I have someone who believes in me, I can move mountains.

My life has often been described as 'from rags to riches' but in fact, the Ross's were never raggedy.

No, nothing really upsets me.

My life has often been described as 'from rags to riches,' but in fact, the Rosses were never raggedy.

I have three girls, and I say the same thing to them. I'm not involved in their careers because I've learned that it's important for them to stand on their own two feet. They'll feel better and prouder of themselves if they do.

I want an autobiography without revealing any personal information.

The first time I heard a Billie Holiday record, I thought, 'What's so great about Billie Holiday?'

It's the first time I have returned to my roots - like going back to be a trio. The fans really wanted me to go back on stage and do the Supremes music, so I went about trying to make it happen. We'll go on tour in the summer.

It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it.

My father worked hard, but we were still very poor; and I didn't want anybody arguing about money, so I became the entertainer - the one who wanted everyone to be happy. I didn't want there to be any problems.

Most people are so hard to please that if they met God, they'd probably say yes, she's great, but ...

My travels led me to where I am today. Sometimes these steps have felt painful, difficult, but led me to greater happiness and opportunities.

If we hold on together I know our dreams will never die Dreams see us through to forever Where clouds roll by For you and I

Either black people end up being the best in sports, or else it's show business. You know, we all got rhythm.

Do you know where you going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?

Discipline is a necessary tool to help you get what you want in life. It forces you to stay on center and to move away from the things that are not necessary.

If I'm with a man I'm soft and buttery.

I know that my fans want to know who I'm sleeping with, but it's really none of their business.

I'd traveled a lot, was going temporarily insane and became very successful, but there was no one to take that all home to.

I don't have to sit around and wait for the next movie to come along, I can go out and sing.

Hair has always been important.

I just appreciate still having the longevity that I've had in my career.

I have never gotten into the label thing.

I try to choose the songs that really are basically coming from my heart. I think that through the songs that I select, people know what's going on in my life.

It has always been, and still is, my intention to build a playground in Central Park.

I am in prayer for his kids and the family.

I was brought up in this part of Detroit that they used to call the ghetto.

A reporter once asked me if I ever cried. I wonder if people think I'm just as hard as a rock and have no emotions at all.

I listen to most everything that's out there because I need to stay aware of what's happening in the industry.

My children come first and the career comes in around that.

My father worked hard, but we were still very poor; and I didn't want anybody arguing about money, so I became the entertainer, the one who wanted everyone to be happy. I didn't want there to be any problems.