I have no doubt in mind that I justify the space I take up in the world.

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.

To reject the Word of God is forsake the holy grace.

We were the creatures desired throughout the ages... foolish humans didn't even realize it, living in their own little world.

Heaven-gates are not so highly arched As princes' palaces

even there a shining is flowing from all the stonesthough the eyes are not yet made that can see it

Because everything we say and do is the length and shadow of our own souls, our influence is determined by the quality of our being.

What crimes, for which we condemn the Government as satanic, have not we been guilty of towards our own untouchable brethren?

I came to the conclusion then that "continual mindfulness". . . must mean, not a sergeantmajor-like drilling of thoughts, but a continual readiness to accept whatever came.

I want a change, and a radical change. I want a change from an acquisitive society to a functional society, from a society of go-getters to a society of go-givers.

How hideous is the semicolon.

When all the false self-identifications are thrown away, what remains is all-embracing love.