What Prince Hoped His Legacy Would Be: 11 of His Most Inspiring Quotes

Pop star is dead at 57

Thursday marked a sad day in the music world as we learned Prince had passed away at 57.

E! News confirmed the pop star was found dead in his Minneapolis home. "It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," his rep told us in a statement.  "There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time."

Despite his passing, the impact he made in the music industry will live on forever. In fact, here are 11 quotes that perfectly depict the legacy Prince has left behind:

1. On His Changing Music Style, LA Times, 1982: "All people care about nowadays is getting paid, so they try to do just what the audience wants them to do. I'd rather give people what they need rather than just what they want."

2. On Not Being Afraid to Try New Things, LA Times, 1982: "The most important thing is to be true to yourself, but I also like danger. That's what's missing from pop music today. There's no excitement or mystery."

3. On Moving on From the Past, Rolling Stone, 1985: "I used to tease a lot of journalists early on, because I wanted them to concentrate on the music and not so much on me coming from a broken home...I don't live in the past. I don't play my old records for that reason. I make a statement, then move on to the next."

4. On Everything Happening for a Reason, Details magazine, 1991: "There are no accidents. And if there are, it's up to us to look at them as something else. And that bravery is what creates new flowers."

5. On Being Whoever You Want to Be, Barney Hoskyns Interview, 1999: "A strong spirit transcends rules."

6. On How Art Can Move People, Notorious magazine, 1999: "Movies are real! Music is real! It affects people, it's real...The other night I went to a club and I watched a DJ control an entire room. Even politicians can't do that."

7. On People Making Their Own Opinions, Rolling Stone, 2004: "Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people."

8. On Believing in Yourself, Newsweek, 2004: "When I became a symbol, all the writers were cracking funnies, but I was the one laughing. I knew I'd be here today, feeling each new album is my first."

9. On Becoming a Legend, The View, 2010: "The key to longevity is to learn every aspect of music that you can."

10. On Losing a Loved One, Interview magazine, 2014: "I have written a song that says: If you ever lose someone dear to you, never say the words, 'They're gone,' and they'll come back

11. On Realizing Your Own Greatness, The Guardian, 2015: "That's what you want. Transcendence. When that happens...Oh, boy."