Quotes by Mary J. Blige

God comes first - if I dont love him, I cant love anybody, and if I cant love me I cant love nobody.

I wish I had known that education is the key. That knowledge is power. Now I pick up books and watch educational shows with my husband. Im seeing how knowledge can elevate you.

Ive just been growing right along. Its painful, but its a great pain, and I like suffering for great results. Its like going to the gym. It hurts really bad at first, but after a couple of months and after that diet, youre looking so hot.

You can hate me. You can go out there and say anything you want about me, But you will love me later because I told you the truth.

Dont give up, be positive and if you know someone who knows someone at a record company dont stop beating down their door till you get heard. Dont ever say itll never happen or itll never happen.

I like to do interior design, I love to quilt, I love to see different colors together, and I love to match things up.

When someone comes up to me and says, Mary, you helped save my marriage, or, Mary, you helped me get out of this abusive relationship, Im in it, really in their lives. And Im so passionate about my feelings, but also about showing people the way through theirs.

I dont listen to peoples opinions. I have people around me who I can trust, but most of all I listen to myself.

I had to learn how to trust my gut. Trust what I know to be right... not right, but not waver on who I am. Know who I am, know what I want, and know it. Not waver on it and be secure in that. And I still struggle with it. But I really... I cant be moved. You cant move me, and that all comes with loving myself, and Im like my best buddy.

I remember a time when all my fans were crying and sad and going through hell. Now, were trying to uplift each other and accept ourselves for who we are, even if nobody else does.

I just want fans to walk away knowing that no matter whats going on, no matter how happy you are, no matter how sad you are, we did it. Were strong in this. Weve come a long way, and life is not just one thing.

I wish I had an extra day with my mom sometimes. Or another hour in the day with my family, husband and children.

In the inner city, theres a mentality that the government owes you something. My breakthrough came when I stopped feeling sorry for myself and took responsibility for every part of my life. No more pity parties. Ive gotta love me more than anybody else loves me.

When I was a child I didnt care about getting an education, and I didnt finish high school.

I always want to be a messenger, a person that, you know, thats not afraid to pass on wisdom.

Theres so many things that life is, and no matter how many breakthroughs, trials will exist and were going to get through it. Just be strong.

It hurts when you have to smile and you dont want to smile, but the best thing to do is to smile.

When you hold on to anger and unforgiveness, you cant move forward.