we have so much to say, and we shall never say it.

Life did not intend to make us perfect. Whoever is perfect belongs in a museum.

Strange how complicated we can make things just to avoid showing what we feel!

We have our dreams because without them we could not bear the truth.

It's only terrible to have nothing to wait for.

Never do anything complicated when something simple will serve as well. It's one of the most important secrets of living.

For a moment I had a strange intuition that just this, and in a real, profound sense, is life; and perhaps happiness even - love with a mixture of sadness, reverence, and silent knowledge.

Everyone saves someone at least once. Just as he kills someone at least once. Even though he may not know it.

Anything you can settle with money is cheap.

Life is a disease, brother, and death begins already at birth. Every breath, every heartbeat, is a moment of dying - a little shove toward the end.

Modesty and conscientiousness receive their reward only in novels. In life they are exploited and then shoved aside.

Time flies with you

It's supposed to be jolly, with mistletoe and holly... and other things ending in olly.

Playing the Opry, when I get the opportunity - it's one of the coolest honors for any musician in any genre, but especially for a country musician.

Every stage of life has its troubles, and no man is content with his own age.

A man's character is his fate.

The first thing necessary to win the heart of a woman is opportunity.

I'm beginning to see that just knowing the piece is not enough. Having a clear technique is not enough. Having a broad repertory is not enough. I want desperately to get past all those things.

I remember the time I said, 'I don't think you love yourself. You need to learn to love yourself.'

Isn't the only hope for the planet that the industrialized civilizations collapse? Isn't it our responsibility to bring this about?

I have a dream that Africa should have one bloc - north to south - we could trade freely, people can move freely and that makes business sense.