I'm one of the few people that I know that sings better than they did 20 years ago.

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.

When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most.

Life without making progress is dead. What is life if you don't embrace new truths that scare you, meet people who intimidate you, and so on.

Its much like writing a screenplay with someone else and thats how we view it, I think.

The line between pride in our work and neurotic obstinacy is a narrow one. We make our recommendations clear. But we do not grudge our clients the right to the final say. It is their money.

The most all penetrating spirit before which will open the possibility of tilting not tables, but planets, is the spirit of free human inquiry. Believe only in that.

God is worthy of my loving obedience because of who He is, not because of what he does.

You lose that sacred-cow status when you lose three straight years.

You shall judge a man by his foes as well as by his friends.

There is no possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend.

I do think you're mad and I'll still go with you.