Aretha Franklin

"I've learned that forgiveness is freedom"

"My voice is my instrument and my weapon"

"I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me"

"Life is too short not to pursue your dreams"

"I am a testament to the power of perseverance"

"Music will always be my first love and my salvation"

"You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That's what makes you a winner."

"I'm a very liberated woman, but not a bitter woman."

"Think of yourself as an incandescent light bulb. Your job is to illuminate, not to judge."

"Just be an open channel. Let the music flow through you."

"The greatest love of all is inside of me."

"Never let a man disrespect you. I don't care who he is."

"I want to be treated with respect at all times."

"God gave me a voice to sing with, and when I open my mouth, the Lord has always been there."

"There's a role we have to play. Lights, action, it's showtime."

"Music to me is like breathing. I don't get tired of it."

"I grew up in a big family with a lot of love and a lot of prayer."

"Sometimes, you have to look back at where you came from to see how far you've come."

"I've been through hard times, and I'm still standing."

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence."

"I'm not just a singer. I'm a woman with a message."

"Respect yourself and others will respect you."

"I sing to the realities of people's lives, what they go through."

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without."

"I've always thought of myself as a very spiritual person."

"You're never too old to learn something new."

"A woman's intuition is a powerful thing."

"I want to be remembered as someone who used her talents for good."

"The power of a woman is in her presence."

"I don't need a man to validate my existence."