The first time with artistic endeavors is, if it's working, it was your idea, and if it's not, it's somebody else's idea.

I have my own religion. I'm sort of one-quarter Baptist, one-quarter Catholic, one-quarter Jewish.

I'm a very comfortable and happy-go-lucky old man. I never wanted to be great, because I'd just get worried.

Whiskey's to tough, Champagne costs too much, Vodka puts my mouth in gear. I hope this refrain, Will help me explain, As a matter of fact, I like beer.

The best compliment I ever had is, one day I was in Nashville, some disc jockey said, Hey, that sounds like a Tom T. Hall song. Up until then there hadn't been any such thing.

I love winners when they cry, losers when they try.

Make your melodies simple enough so that the average person can hum them.

I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, bourbon in a glass, and grass.

When I first got to Nashville, somebody said that [Kris Kristofferson and I] were the only two people who could describe Dolly Parton without using their hands.

I took up a sort of a hobby of just hanging around the local library. I'd pick out an author and I would read all their books.

After I retired and came off the road, I gathered up all my musical instruments and suddenly, I wanted them all to be perfect.

I like being brave well enough, but I will be a lazy coward again if you think that would be better.

What has the church gained if it is popular but there is no conviction, no repentance, no power?

You very seldom see a picture where you watch the process of falling in love.

My mother died of lung cancer last year. I felt helpless. As an economist, I thought, What can I do?

I went on television and I wouldn't say a word; I feel so stupid when I watch them again.

It is possible that these may all be insufficient to control the caprice and wickedness of man. But are they not all that government will admit, and all that human prudence can devise?

farewell' is a monster among words, and never yet sounded kindly in any ear.

Those who fought know a secret about themselves, and it is not very nice.

"Rednecks" always made me nervous to play, but I'm glad I wrote it and I continue to play it. It's just that the language is so rough.

All governments should be pressured to correct their abuses of human rights.