Madonna: "I refuse to act the way someone expects me to."

Madonna: "I know I'm not the greatest singer or dancer, but that doesn't interest me. I'm interested in being provocative and pushing people's buttons."

Madonna: "I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams."

Madonna: "On the one hand, the idea of marriage and the sort of traditional family life repulses me. But on the other hand, I long for it, you know what I mean? I'm constantly in conflict with things. And it is because of my past and my upbringing and the journey that I've been on."

Madonna: "When I'm hungry, I eat. When I'm thirsty, I drink. When I feel like saying something, I say it."

Madonna: "I didn't have many friends; I might not have had any friends. But it all turned out good in the end, because when you aren't popular and you don't have a social life, it gives you more time to focus on your future."

Madonna: "I think my biggest flaw is my insecurity. I'm terribly insecure. I'm plagued with insecurities 24/7."

Madonna: "I have a funny relationship with religion. I'm a big believer in ritualistic behavior as long as it doesn't hurt anybody. But I'm not a big fan of rules. And yet, we cannot live in a world without order."

Madonna: "I'm ambitious. But if I weren't as talented as I am ambitious, I would be a gross monstrosity."

Madonna: "I believe that we are at a very low level of consciousness, and we do not know how to treat each other as human beings. We are caught up in our own lives, our own needs, our own ego gratification. I feel a strong sense of responsibility in delivering that message."

Madonna: "I think that everyone should get married at least once, so you can see what a silly, outdated institution it is."

Madonna: "When I first came to New York I was a dancer, and a French record label offered me a recording contract and I had to go to Paris to do it. So I went there and that's how I really got into the music business. But I didn't like what I was doing when I got there, so I left, and I never did a record there."

Madonna: "I like to change. A new lamp, a piece of art, can transform a room."

Madonna: "A lot of places I go are dangerous, like Tel Aviv or Rio, but that never stops me from going there and putting on a show. I have good security. I don't worry about that."

Madonna: "Poor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another."

Madonna: "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."

Madonna: "Sometimes you want to go for a walk and you don't want to be watched. You just want to be anonymous and blend in. Especially when I travel, I feel that way, because I can't really go out and see a city the way other people can and I miss out on a lot."