From the moment [Bob] Dylan arrived as a songwriter, he was [so] much better than everybody else around.

Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.

America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.

I don't believe that songwriting has to be profound, but I truly believe that it's a crime for you to go outta your way for it not to be.

I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in music and life. I'm into pain and joy and the in-between doesn't interest me.

Actually, in its purest form, Islam is incredibly tolerant. That makes what's going on in the world really bizarre.

All we do as songwriters is rewrite the songs that have impressed us till we find our own voice. It's part of learning the craft.

You see things differently at 40 than you do at 31. Especially if you got to 40 the way I did.

Every day on Earth is another chance to get it right.

I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest obstacle is always myself.

To me, religion is an agreement between a group of people about what God is. Spirituality is a one-on-one relationship.

Plenty are the tastes and plenty are the paths.

Fate is a lazy man’s excuse for avoiding curiosity.

Fans want to make sure that they see things resolved, they want to get some closure, a great ending. I think they're going to get that.

You are as welcome as the flowers in May.

One has renounced the great life when one renounces war.

For those that think men make progress collectively, I warn you, history teaches: You couldn't be more wrong.

You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.

Everything starts with one step, or one brick, or one word or one day

Welcome to the real world, she said to me. Condescendingly. Take a seat. Take your life. Plot it out in black and white.

It's not whether you win or lose - but whether I win or lose.