Dolly Parton Reveals the Timeless Life Lesson Her Mama Taught Her — and Still Lives By Today

Dolly Parton has always been more than a country music legend. She’s a cultural icon, a philanthropist, a savvy businesswoman — and perhaps most of all, a wellspring of wisdom. But even Dolly gets her best advice from someone very close to her heart: her mama.

In a recent interview with TODAY.com, Parton shared the powerful phrase her mother, Avie Lee Parton, repeated often and that still shapes Dolly’s life to this day:
“To thine own self be true.”

Yes, the famous line comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but for Dolly, it was more than a literary quote. It was a way of life. And it’s a motto she’s carried with her through decades of fame, fortune, and fierce individuality.
“There’s a whole lot of meaning in that phrase,” Dolly said. “Because I’ve always tried to stay true to me.”

Now, at 79 and with a career still going strong — including a new line of frozen Southern comfort foods — Dolly continues to offer the same advice her mama gave her. When fans ask for words of wisdom, she doesn’t hesitate:
“Be yourself. Do things your way. Stick to your truth.”

It’s a message she’s echoed before, most famously in her beloved quote:
“Find out who you are and do it on purpose. And do it with purpose.”

In an age of comparison and imitation, Dolly reminds us that authenticity is the real key to success and happiness.
“You really need to do things your way, according to your rules, your personality, your mindset, your faith,” she told TODAY.com, delivering another gem of advice that’s as warm and comforting as one of her songs.

From the smoky mountains of Tennessee to the bright lights of Hollywood, Dolly Parton has never strayed from being true to herself — and thanks to her mama’s wise words, she never will.