Yoko Ono

“I always thought that I was an important musician. If you don't have that confidence, why would you go on and do it?”

“Reality can be elastic, and I want to see how elastic it can be, you know?”

“If a woman writes about a domestic situation, everyone automatically assumes that it's about her.”

“We don't live by just sleeping and eating. We need pride and dignity in our lives. Work gives you that.”

“People think that their world will get smaller as they get older. My experience is just the opposite. Your senses become more acute. You start to blossom.”

“Mothers are not supposed to give guidance.”

“When you go through a negative situation, don't think about it. Make it positive.”

“Healing yourself is connected with healing others.”

“Some people think that movements, such as the movements in ballet, are a higher cultural expression, whereas some are just dirt. I think it is elitist to think that a trained movement is more acceptable than untrained and possibly unrehearsed movements.”

“The whole world is starting to realize that it was the most unwise thing for our society to have ignored women power, to run the society with male priorities.”

“I was born into a very important family in Japan. My grandfather was a descendant of the Emperor, and we were very wealthy.”

“I admire all people who are trying to be a good power in this chaotic world.”

“When Orientals are attacked, they don't hit back.”

“Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative, you can get beyond your pain or negativity.”

“I get very nervous before I get on the stage, but once I'm on the stage, I'm just, you know, me. Nothing hurts me.”

“People make music to get a reaction. Music is communication.”

“Art is a mind-game that we do to make our lives easier. If it isn't for that, it becomes superfluous.”

“I relate to happiness as an ecstatic moment - something you don't create, you encounter.”

“I am extremely rebellious. I have this strong, defiant spirit.”

“Many of my songs were dance orientated from way back. That's because I love dance! When I hear a dance number, just hearing the first eight bars, it immediately makes my bod start moving and dancing.”