I grew up counterculture. I'm essentially a hippie, and I'm essentially a folkie.

Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.

America's criminal justice system isn't known for rehabilitation. I'm not sure that, as a society, we are even interested in that concept anymore.

I don't believe that songwriting has to be profound, but I truly believe that it's a crime for you to go outta your way for it not to be.

I have a low tolerance for mediocrity in music and life. I'm into pain and joy and the in-between doesn't interest me.

Actually, in its purest form, Islam is incredibly tolerant. That makes what's going on in the world really bizarre.

All we do as songwriters is rewrite the songs that have impressed us till we find our own voice. It's part of learning the craft.

You see things differently at 40 than you do at 31. Especially if you got to 40 the way I did.

Every day on Earth is another chance to get it right.

I don't really think in terms of obstacles. My biggest obstacle is always myself.

To me, religion is an agreement between a group of people about what God is. Spirituality is a one-on-one relationship.

Self acceptance is common, Unfortunately, for some daft reason you are expected to have some kind of psychology degree to learn it.

I focus all my energy into become a faster, stronger, and better version of myself.

I don't make friends based on how big their pockets are or how well connected they are

'The Assassination of Jesse James' remains one of my favorite films that I've done. You know, it's still labeled a loser.

The money is in television. Books are not the dominant medium of our time, so fewer people will create them. In a sad way, books have become a form of "comfort food" we expect to lull us to sleep.

You can tell when you have crossed the frontier into Germany because of the badness of the coffee.

I never retouch a sketch: I take a canvas the same size, as I may change the composition somewhat. But I always strive to give the same feeling, while carrying it on further.

The truth is, I can never die. For I will be in everything and see you in everything and watch over you. I am your reaction in the water of a mountain lake

I’m not interested in a realistic look, not at all, not ever. Every film should look the way I feel.

Whenever a church does anything for its own group, it has that right.