I think I'm a lot happier than people might think from listening to my songs.

I don't consider myself a skilled enough instrumentalist to be able to create the atmosphere that I want with just my guitar by myself.

Though the inspiration for my songs almost always comes from things that are happening around me, I am definitely not always the protagonist in the songs.

Just because I write in the first person doesn't mean that all my songs are autobiographical.

I feel like the songs that I write are best when they are performed by an ensemble, rather than by one solo instrument.

Every single record I make is an act of faith in a sense, and somewhere I also have faith that the people who need to hear my music somehow will.

I am very, very grateful to have the best and most supportive fans ever.

Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals. (attr to J. Isham)

Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.

Children need love especially when they do not deserve it.

I have a lot of respect for Ovechkin as a player. I like his enthusiasm. I know the kid has a zest for life and a joy for the game.

As naturally as the oak bears an acorn and the vine a gourd, man bears a poem, either spoken or done.

If someone had told me I would be Pope one day, I would have studied harder.

Won't you ride my white horse?

The world needs a better understanding of how to encourage innovation. And innovators need to get better at it. Sign me up.

The first step in achieving prosperity and wealth is learning to appreciate what you already have.

In our view, derivatives are financial weapons of mass destruction carrying dangers that, while latent, are potentially lethal.