I tried when I was 13, when my grandparents gave me an acoustic guitar, and I tried for a year. It hurt so much to play. I mean, the fingertips hurt so much, I gave up.

Every time you pick up your guitar to play, play as if it's the last time.

My driving philosophy about making music is that you can reduce it all down to one note if that note is played with the right kind of sincerity.

Risk is trying to control something you are powerless over.

Music survives everything, and like God, it is always present. It needs no help, and suffers no hindrance.

It's been up to me to inspire me.

One of the most beneficial things I've ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut.

All along this path I tread, my heart betrays my weary head, with nothing but my love to save, from the cradle to the grave.

Music became a healer for me. And I learned to listen with all my being. I found that it could wipe away all fear and confusion.

For me there is something primitively soothing about this music, and it went straight to my nervous system, making me feel ten feet tall.

There are people these days who can do things on the guitar which are beyond my reach. There's one guy who plays with Queen who can do things I would dream of doing. I sincerely mean that.

Physics isn't the most important thing. Love is.

Sometimes, Anu, we have to take actions that make us sad because it's the right thing to do for the future.

I shot me a nice deer, and I hung it on the den wall in my house. My neighbor comes over and he says, Did you shoot that thing? I said, Nope. He ran through the wall and got stuck. Here's your sign.

The truth is how you say it, and to be 'one's self' is the most shocking custom of all.

It's when you cry just a little, but you laugh in the middle that you've made it.

During a speech on Sunday, President Obama said to the crowd, 'We've got to vote. Vote. Vote. Vote. Vote. Vote.' This went on for an hour until someone finally fixed his teleprompter.

Do you know why that cow looks over that wall? She looks over the wall because she cannot see through it, and that is what you must do with your troubles... Look over and above them.

None are as offended as those who contrive offense.

No matter what others say or do, even if the wicked succeed, do not be troubled: commit everything to God and put your trust in him.

Virtue steals, like a guilty thing, into the secret haunts of vice and infamy, clings to their devoted victim, and will not be driven quite away. Nothing can destroy the human heart.