The roots of Cuban music are in my head.

Ry Cooder for me is a master, a great master that has a wonderful feel for Cuban music. He's also paid tribute my talent a bit, even though I don't know half of what he knows.

My secret? A desire to work, years of dedication and loving what you do; I can't live without music.

Can you imagine that Cuba and Europe's youth, who had forgotten about traditional music, who only thought of rock music, are now looking back towards their grandparents? That is a phenomenon.

Towns are suffering from all these things, we should unite until we are all satisfied, man cannot be killing each other as if we were animals, as if we had no culture; that is a lack of culture.

As far as pleasures, you've got to have limits. You shouldn't have too much of good things, so you'll always have a desire for more and you won't get bored.

When it comes to musicians, I'm like the daddy of musicians here in Cuba.

I've done a lot of things away from my homeland.

Cubans are frantic when it comes to appreciating music.

I'll only stop singing when I'm in my grave.

As long as your heart beats, one is never too old.

He looked different in sleep, beautiful but cold as moonlight. I found myself wishing he would wake so that I might watch the life return.

Prose cannot compete with the economy of poetry, the ability to have a full artistic experience in a short period of time.

I perceive affection makes a fool Of any man too much the father.

Well the first order of government is to preserve the public order and safety.

Whatever's merely willful, and not miraculous (be never it so skilful) must wither fail and cease - but better than to grow beauty knows no.

The true cure for self-righteousness is self-knowledge.

A man of feeble character resembles a reed that bends with every gust of wind.

I loved having my baby inside of me, but I was very happy when he was finally here.

When it comes to culture, religion and mentality, most Russians identify with Europe.

All true work is sacred.