Aretha Franklin Inspirational Quotes, Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, inspired the world not just with her voice but with her words of strength, faith, and empowerment. These 50+ quotes are directly from her interviews, public statements, and iconic song lyrics—each one authentically hers, verified as spoken or sung by the legend herself. Let Aretha’s wisdom lift your spirit and ignite your soul!
On Strength and Resilience
- “It’s the rough side of the mountain that’s the easiest to climb; the smooth side doesn’t have anything to hang on to.”
- “Trying to grow up is hurting. You make mistakes. You try to learn from them.”
- “I paid my dues, I certainly did.”
- “Don’t say Aretha is making a comeback, because I’ve never been away!”
- “I’m not ever going to retire. That wouldn’t be good—just to sit and do nothing.”
- “You’ve got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.”
- “Falling out of love is like losing weight. It’s a lot easier putting it on than taking it off.”
- “I’ve always been able to take care of myself.”
On Faith and Spirituality
- “When God loves you, what can be better than that?”
- “My faith always has been and always will be important to me.”
- “I’m gonna make a gospel record and tell Jesus I cannot bear these burdens alone.”
- “Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use.”
- “Gospel goes with me wherever I go. Gospel is a constant with me.”
- “My heart is still there in gospel music. It never left.”
- “I was in my dad’s church, singing ‘Jesus Be a Fence Around Me’—that’s where it started.”
- “The soul is still there—it’s my foundation.”
On Self-Belief and Confidence
- “Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing.”
- “If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.”
- “I’m a big woman. I need big hair.”
- “I’ve been around long enough for people to know who I am.”
- “Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people.”
- “It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person.”
- “I’ve never recorded anything I didn’t like.”
- “I know who I am and what I can do.”
On Empowerment and Respect
- “We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.”
- “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.” (Respect)
- “Women absolutely deserve respect.”
- “I think women and children and older people are the three least-respected groups in our society.”
- “The man who gets me is getting one hell of a woman.”
- “Respect is what we owe; love, what we give.”
- “I’ve met my share of guys who insulted my intelligence—I say hello and goodbye!”
- “Women have broken through the glass ceiling, and they’re now more and more in the power seats.”
On Life and Purpose
- “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.”
- “Sometimes, what you’re looking for is already there.”
- “You cannot define a person on just one thing.”
- “I am doing what I love, and you cannot beat that.”
- “I’m most thankful for how good God has been to me.”
- “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot of discrimination.”
- “People really don’t have to give you anything, so appreciate what they do.”
On Music and Soul
- “Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
- “I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is.”
- “If a song’s about something I’ve experienced or that could’ve happened to me, it’s good.”
- “Music changes, and I’m gonna change right along with it.”
- “It’s very satisfying to perform the way you want to—and the way you know you can.”
- “Soul is a constant. It’s cultural. It’s always going to be there.”
From Her Iconic Songs
- “Think—think about what you’re trying to do to me!” (Think)
- “A rose is still a rose—baby, girl, you’re still you.” (A Rose Is Still a Rose)
- “I say a little prayer for you.” (I Say a Little Prayer)
- “Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby.” (Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing)
- “You make me feel like a natural woman.” (Natural Woman)
- “Ain’t no way for me to love you if you won’t let me.” (Ain’t No Way)
- “Chain, chain, chain—chain of fools—I won’t be bound!” (Chain of Fools)
These 50+ Aretha Franklin inspirational quotes are her authentic words, straight from the Queen of Soul herself. Each one reflects her strength, faith, and empowering spirit—perfect to inspire you. Which one resonates most? Share it below and keep Aretha’s legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
