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

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 pity parties. I've got to love me more than anybody else loves me.

— 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 truly enjoy Bono. I think he is an amazing person I love him.

— 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. Furthermore, it hurts terrible at first, but after a couple of months and after that diet, you're looking so hot.

— 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

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

Just don't let the hype of what people are saying and how much they love you, y'know, just take the compliment and be thankful that people are complimenting you, but don't let it consume you; don't let your circumstances around you and the way people view you make you act a certain way.

— Mary J. Blige

Music makes us want to live. You don't know how many times people have told me that they'd been down and depressed and just wanted to die. But then a special song caught their ear and that helped give them renewed strength. That's the power music has.

— Mary J. Blige