“ When I was a child I didn't care about getting an education, and I didn't finish high school. Mary J. Blige
“ There's so many things that life is, and no matter how many breakthroughs, trials will exist and we're going to get through it. Just be strong. Mary J. Blige
“ I wish I had an extra day with my mom sometimes. Or another hour in the day with my family, husband and children. Mary J. Blige
“ God comes first - if I don't love him, I can't love anybody, and if I can't love me I can't love nobody. Mary J. Blige
“ I like to do interior design, I love to quilt, I love to see different colors together, and I love to match things up. Mary J. Blige
“ 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. Mary J. Blige
“ I don't know. Only God knows where the story ends for me, but I know where the story begins. It's up to us to choose, whether we win or lose and I choose to win. Mary J. Blige
“ I didn't know how to show my self love, and I didn't want anyone else to hurt me. So my tough girl attitude was like, 'I'm not having it.' Mary J. Blige
“ I remember a time when all my fans were crying and sad and going through hell. Now, we're trying to uplift each other and accept ourselves for who we are, even if nobody else does. Mary J. Blige
“ It hurts when you have to smile and you don't want to smile, but the best thing to do is to smile. Mary J. Blige
“ 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. I'm seeing how knowledge can elevate you. Mary J. Blige
“ In the inner city, there's 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 p… Mary J. Blige
“ I don't listen to people's opinions. I have people around me who I can trust, but most of all I listen to myself. Mary J. Blige
“ Don't give up, be positive and if you know someone who knows someone at a record company don't stop beating down their door till you get heard. Don't ever say it'll never happen or it'll never happen. Mary J. Blige
“ I've just been growing right along. It's painful, but it's a great pain, and I like suffering for great results. It's like going to the gym. It hurts really bad at first, but after a couple of months… Mary J. Blige
“ I always want to be a messenger, a person that, you know, that's not afraid to pass on wisdom. Mary J. Blige
“ When you finally understand who you are, ages 6 through 60 will understand who you are. Because when they see a person that's come through all that I've come through, still standing, it's amazing. Mary J. Blige
