People hate good books to be over. I wish I could write a 700-page book.

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.

Faith doesn't have to be much. Not any bigger than a mustard seed... That small. Only that much faith you'll need in me, God says, because I am so big. I am the Great I Am. So have faith in me.

Aliena's brother, Richard, sometimes reminded her of her father, with a look or a gesture, and that was when she felt a surge of affection.

Forget the dream. Stay real.

She was a Phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight A lovely Apparition sent To be a moment's ornament.

If it isn't good, let it die. If it doesn't die, make it good.

Essentially any history we have is just a history of aristocrats. We don't have any history of people.

Given what the media have put the country through this past decade, it must come as a surprise to most Americans that the press has a code of ethics.

Blessings are the spiritual equivalent of breathing in, and prayer is the spiritual equivalent of breathing out.

George W. Bush broke a mold four years ago: Even though he lost the popular vote, he governed as if he had won by acclamation.

I'm not sure if the next song I write is going to be about love or a song about a tree.