To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. That takes courage, because we don't want to fall on our faces or leave ourselves open to hurt.

I've been popular and unpopular, successful and unsuccessful, loved and loathed, and I know how meaningless it all is. Therefore, I feel free to take whatever risks I want.

Being loved keeps you young.

Rejection is the greatest aphrodisiac.

The cross is a very powerful symbol and it symbolises suffering, but it also is connected to a person who was loving and sharing and his message was about unconditional love. I tried to take a powerful image and use it to draw attention to a situation that needs attention. For me, we all need to be Jesus in our time. Jesus's message was to love your neighbour as yourself and these are people in need. About the controversial crucifixion scene in her Confessions tour.

Be strong, believe in freedom and in God, love yourself, understand your sexuality, have a sense of humor, masturbate, don't judge people by their religion, color or sexual habits, love life and your family.

I fear the future I wish for my children is at risk, so I'm taking action. Please join me. Our greatest risk is not terrorism, and it's not Iraq or the "Axis of Evil". Our greatest risk is a lack of leadership, a lack of honesty and a complete lack of consciousness. Unfortunately our current government cannot see the big picture. They think too small. They suffer from the “what's in it for me?” syndrome. The simple truth is that the current administration has squandered incredible opportunities to bring the world together, to promote peace in regions that have only known war, to encourage health in places that are ravaged with disease, to make us more secure by living up to our principles at home and abroad. The simple truth is that the policies of our current administration do not reflect what is great about America.

I went to New York. I had a dream. I wanted to be a big star. I didn’t know anybody. I wanted to dance. I wanted to sing. I wanted to do all those things. I wanted to make people happy. I wanted to be famous. I wanted everybody to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard and my dream came true.

It is difficult to believe in a religion that places such a high premium on chastity and virginity.

Catholicism is not a soothing religion. It's a painful religion. We're all gluttons for punishment.

I have the same goal I've had ever since I was a girl. I want to rule the world.

When I came to New York it was the first time I'd ever taken a plane, the first time I'd ever gotten a taxi-cab, the first time for everything. And I came here with 35 dollars in my pocket. It was the bravest thing I'd ever done.

I'd like to think I am taking people on a journey; I am not just entertaining people, but giving them something to think about when they leave.

If at first you don't succeed, you're obviously not me.

I'm saying celebrity is bullshit. And who knows better then me?

Fame can be very disruptive. It can be like a drug. It gives you the feeling that you’re happy, it gives you the feeling of self-importance, it gives you the feeling of fulfillment... but it can distract you from what is really important.

I was sacked from Dunkin' Donuts for squirting the donut jelly all over the customers. About working in Dunkin' Donuts in New York before becoming famous.

A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That's why they don't get what they want.

I won't be happy till I'm as famous as God.

Never forget to dream.

I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.

Sometimes you have to be a bitch to get things done.

I loved nuns when I was growing up. I thought they were beautiful. For several years I wanted to be a nun. I saw them as really pure, disciplined, above average people. They had these serene faces. Nuns are sexy.

I'm not going to compromise my artistic integrity.

I want to be like Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, and John Lennon... but I want to stay alive.