I just had a child on purpose at age 56, I'm pretty f---ing optimistic.

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.

I think it would be well, and proper, and obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it takes you.

If you are a true Christian, you will not give way at home to bad temper, impatience, fault-finding, sarcasm, unkindness, suspicion, selfishness, or laziness.

It's hilarious to me that by writing an obscene fake children's book I am mistaken for a parenting expert.

Running hills breaks up your rhythm and forces your muscles to adapt to new stresses. The result? You become stronger.

The human mind is a dramatic structure in itself and our society is absolutely saturated with drama

I have left out what I don't remember or don't know. Temperament, fear, shyness, obedience, kindness.

I don't come down on any simple place as a deletionist or a completionist.

Get me inside any boardroom and I'll get any decision I want.

You've gotta have somebody to trust, that knows a lot.

Germany must have her place in the sun.