8 Classic Joan Crawford Quotes ...

“Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell.” This is one of my favorite Joan Crawford quotes because, by all accounts, the woman did love like this. She loved hard and fast; sometimes it burned out just as quickly, but sometimes it endured. She got burned a lot as well, and not just by her ex-husbands. Rumor has it that Clark Gable was the great star crossed love of her life.

“I have always known what I wanted, and that was beauty … in every form.” I love Mommie Dearest, but poor Faye Dunaway was more of a caricature of the dynamic actress. The woman was beautiful and she certainly loved beautiful things, even wanting her adopted children to be the most beautiful kids in Hollywood. It's easy to see the truth in this Joan Crawford quote. There needs to be more beauty in the world – but not superficial beauty.

“If you have an ounce of common sense and one good friend, you don't need an analyst.” Analysis used to be incredibly popular, so this quote makes sense as well. And it's true! I have absolutely nothing against therapy (although I don't think I would have liked being analyzed either), but if you're willing to hold yourself accountable for your actions and you have a friend who tells you the unvarnished truth, you definitely can save a few bucks.

“You have to be self-reliant and strong to survive in this town. Otherwise you will be destroyed.” Although this quote specifically relates to Hollywood, if you subtract the “in this town” bit, it holds true for, well, everything. A lot of Joan Crawford's quotes have to do with strength, because for better or worse, she was a very strong woman. She had an iron will and was not afraid to stand up for what she wanted, even if it wasn't exactly fair to others.

“I need sex for a clear complexion, but I'd rather do it for love.” A lot of quotes from Joan Crawford have to do with love and sex as well. Even if you don't believe that everything Christina Crawford wrote about her mother is entirely true, most Crawford biographers highlight her many sexual relationships, which reportedly included both men and women. The woman liked sex, and whether you agree with that or not, you have to admit that she owned it. For that day and age, her forthcoming honesty is really remarkable.

“Send me flowers while I'm alive. They won't do me a damn bit of good after I'm dead.” This could also be called “Joan on Death,” I suppose. Regardless, it's one of my favorite quotes, along with her supposed last words, “Don't you dare ask God to help me.” She really did refuse to bend her will to anyone – often to their detriment, and to hers, but still. She made a good point here: let people know you care about them now. Don't wait until it's too late.

“I, Joan Crawford, I believe in the dollar. Everything I earn, I spend!” Again referring to Christina Crawford's documentation, as well as the information discovered by various biographers, this appears to be quite true as well. Joan liked spending money – primarily on herself, it's true. It got her into quite a bit of trouble, to the point where she sometimes dated or even married men in order to be supported, but she also worked very, very hard.

“If I can't be me, I don't want to be anybody. I was born that way.” Decades before Lady Gaga, there was Joan. This, too, is one of my favorite Joan Crawford quotes. I mean, that's just so Joan! And it's a great way to live: don't ever act like someone else, especially if you're only trying to please others. You were born the way you are, imperfections and all. Own it!

When I read Joan Crawford quotes, I feel like I get a glimpse at all the things in which she believed. These quotes came from another time, when stars weren't hounded to give their opinions on unimportant crap the way they are today. Sure, some of these might have been publicity soundbites, but I think they still reveal a lot. What do you think about some of the things Joan Crawford said?