There's a real sense of desperation when you grow up in poverty.

Don't let your eyes refuse to seeDon't let your ears refuse to hear

Well, I looked my demons in the eyes laid bare my chest, said 'Do your best, destroy me. You see, I’ve been to hell and back so many times, I must admit you kind of bore me.

There's nothing in the world so sad as talking to a man who never knew his life was his for making.

We all have that inner voice that is wise, even if we don't always follow it. It's that voice I'm trying to listen to.

Well it's the hurt I hide that fuels the fires inside me

You can make bad choices and find yourself in a downward spiral or you can find something that gets you out of it.

I am very self-critical, but that's a good thing because it keeps me growing as a human being and as a musician.

Every song asks to be sung in a different way.

You have to believe in yourself before anybody else believes in you.

The thing I love about music is that you can take things that are painful, deep things that hurt you, and you can turn them into something beautiful.

I am joyfully one with all existence.

Good literature is one key to peace. When we stop reading each other, when we stop paying attention to each other's words and stories, we too easily oppose one another.

...you do violence with your words if you force them - art is given - the words received, moment by moment from unseen hands - call it a Muse ...

As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success, which in the long run comes only to the one who combines daring with cool thinking.

It was so easy living day by day Out of touch with the rhythm and blues But now I need a little give and take The New York Times, The Daily News.

Angels appear in many different forms to hold your hand through the difficult times.

I don't know - is everything the U.S. does a shocking embarrassment?

Friendship is not possible between two women one of whom is very well dressed.

Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.