Henry Rollins Quotes

I was raised in Washington, DC, very violent place. I grew up with violence. My introduction to music was violent. The years I've spent on tours, some of that was extremely violent.

I'm a recognizable person and some people feel the need for some reason to take me to task. You're really messing with the wrong person on that one.

Can you imagine telling a woman she can't vote!? The women I hang out with would be going home with parts of your anatomy swinging from their rearview.

I think to write fiction, this is just how I see it, you have to have a powerful need/desire to connect. I can't. Wanting to and not being able to has lead to a lot of misery in my life.

I don't wish to be anything more or less than what I am. If this is how it is, then so be it.

Human beings should not be reduced to a state to where they almost get into a fight over a small bar of soap.

Almost all human who can form a sentence will eventually let you in on the fact that their lives are very difficult and sometimes very hard to manage.

What you do for yourself is one thing. What you do for others is something else entirely.

I'm not trying to say I'm a big tough guy... I'm a typical American-waist deep in this violent culture.

I see violence in myself; I've done some pretty violent things in my lifetime and I've been around some pretty severe violence all the way up to homicide.

I'm not like paparazzi. I never force myself on anyone. I always ask, and some places offer money. And so I try and get these photos to give you, the viewer, a real look at what I was seeing.

It's hard for me to sympathize with a young person who chooses to go into the military because they know where they're going. I think we need to start depopulating the military.

I spend a lot of time alone so I get a lot done. I don't do much else but work, check things out.

I really enjoy the lattitude I have with being a private citizen. I can get a lot done. I am good with that.

I'm just a guy. I get treated like I'm famous but I don't take it seriously. I take the time people take out to check me out very, very seriously.

I warn people, your 40s will require massive amounts of humor and humility.

I think Americans suffer for their lack of travel, awareness of the world. It has horribly warped our sense of place in the scheme of things.

I think Americans really need to start thinking globally. As resources become more dear, we will be pulled closer to the rest of the world anyway.

You never have to listen to a famous person, it's an elective.

I will take the acting work when I can get it. I am not really an actor, that's always apparent but it's work and I'll take it and am always glad for it.

An adult has the opportunity to enjoy the wisdom gleaned from previous decades of living and experience.

Quite often governments are one way and the people are another.

Most of the writers I like just intimidate and humble me but in that there's a good deal of inspiration to be had as well.

I'm not trying to amass people in the streets. I just want them to be more aware.

With writing, there are multiple drafts. On stage, there is one take. I do a lot of preparation for shows, so, for the most part, what you hear me say is pretty much what I wanted to get at.

I really like older writers, perhaps because they take me out of my element. I don't have a great deal of interest in reading a fictionalized present as it's pretty insane as it is.

I'm not much of an improv guy. That's a talent I don't have.

I'd like to rid myself of writing, to surrender, to release the venom. And hopefully at some point, I'll be a happy, well-adjusted guy and I'll have no need for all that 'art.'

I see walking bombs on the streetHearts not beating, but ticking

I think to myself: I don't want to survive this oneI want to burn up in the wreckage

She lit my soul and inhaled deeplyFlicking my ashes occasionally.

Everything you do makes my body scream with loneliness. When I see you, the room swallows me. I find myself at the bottom of the pool.

Yes, I guess you could say I am a loner, but i feel more lonely in a crowded room with boring people then i feel on my owm.

I don't have talent, I have tenacity.

For some there is no musicNo lightsNo fireNo untamed madness that breathes lifeThere is workAnguishFrustrationRageDespairA dullness that rings like wooden thunder

I'll be here tomorrowIf I can make it through today.

As a teen, I heard the second Velvet Underground album, 'White Light/White Heat, ' and it was too much for my limited scope of appreciation. It was intense, but I didn't get it.

I think young people should travel and travel often to other countries... like I do.