Life has many changes. Tomorrow it may rain, and it's supposed to be sunshine, 'cause it's summertime. But God's got a funny soul, he plays like Charlie Parker.

Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.

I never heard my music played the way I heard it in my head.

I am Charles Mingus, half black man, not even white enough to pass for nothing but black. I am Charles Mingus, a famed jazzman, but not famed enough to make a living in this society.

I'm trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it's difficult is because I'm changing all the time.

My music is evidence of my souls will to live.

If Charlie Parker were a Gunslinger, There'd be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats

Jazz music is a language of the emotions.

Making the complicated simple is true creativity.

Bach is how buildings got taller. It's how we got to the moon.

Life is a lifetime opportunity to make the right choice to be great.

Because I want to know if I'm allowed to kiss your tears away. Because I want to be able to hold your hand. Because I like you.

Less gossiping, more encouraging.Less complaining, more thanksgiving.Less criticizing, more complimenting.Less hurting, more helping.Less hating, more caring.

There are two kinds of people in this world. The kind who divide the world into two kinds of people and those who don't.

Real patriotism is realizing America sucks, but everywhere else is a thousand times worse.

Once I thought that Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world. Maybe it was.

He is the happiest man who can see the connection between the end and the beginning of life.

If somebody says, "I love you," to me, I feel as though I had a pistol pointed at my head. What can anybody reply under such conditions but that which the pistol-holder requires? "I love you, too."

Never complain about what you permit.

To love is to choose.