If people really stopped and realized how much art and creative people move the world versus politics and religion, I mean it’s not even up for debate. An artist at least creates things, puts things into the world. Where as these other people are destroying things, taking things out of the world. – Interview on The Henry Rollins Show

… I don’t expect everyone to get something deep out of it. Some people can just listen to the music, or get their aggressions out, but I think with any great painting or movie, album or whatever it is, it’s better if people can take what they need from it. That they’re not forced to get some particular message. – As quoted in “Headbanger’s Ball” (10 December 1996), MTV Europe.

If they think that an artist can destroy their faith, then their faith is rather fragile. – As quoted in BBC News (23 August 2005)

The two by-products of that whole tragedy were violence in entertainment and gun control. And how perfect that that was the two things that we were going to talk about with the upcoming election. And also, then we forgot about Monica Lewinsky and we forgot about the President was shooting bombs overseas – yet I’m a bad guy because I sing some rock-and-roll songs – and who’s a bigger influence, the President or Marilyn Manson? I’d like to think me, but I’m going to go with the President. – Bowling for Columbine (2002)

When I was growing up, music was the only escape. If you put on a record, its not gonna yell at you about the way you dress, its gonna make you feel better about it. – Bowling for Columbine (2002)

Michael Moore: If you were to talk directly to the kids at Columbine or the people in that community, what would you say to them if they were here right now?

Marilyn Manson: I wouldn’t say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say, and that’s what no one did. – Bowling for Columbine (2002)

I’m drawn to things that scare me. I want to confront them. Death, the Devil, illness, disease, unhappiness – I’ll take them all. (1997)

When I was seven or eight, I was playing with my Scooby-Doo and Daphne toys, and had a strange feeling. It was my first sexual arousal. Now I feel that all girls with red hair are of the devil. (2009)