Famous quotes
Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,808 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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“The golden mean, the truth, is no longer recognized or valued. To win applause one must write stuff so simple that a coachman might sing it, or so incomprehensible that it pleases simply because no sensible man can comprehend it.”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) first seen 1782 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: in a letter to his father, 1782
“Now let us sing — Long live the king, And Gilpin, long live he; And, when he next doth ride abroad, May I be there to see!”
William Cowper (1731–1800) said by 1800 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“well well boss there is something to be said for the lyric and imperial attitude believe that everything is for you until you discover that you are for it sing your faith in what you get to eat right up to the minute you are eaten for you are going to be eaten”
Don Marquis (1878–1937) said by 1937 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Swallow, my sister, O sister swallow, How can thine heart be full of the spring? A thousand summers are over and dead. What hast thou found in the spring to follow? What hast thou found in thine heart to sing? What wilt thou do when the summer is shed?”
Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837–1909) said by 1909 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Last night we owned, with looks forlorn, "Too well the scholar knows There is no rose without a thorn" — But peace is made! We sing, this morn, "No thorn without a rose!" Our Latin lesson is complete: We've learned that Love is Bitter-Sweet!”
Lewis Carroll (1832–1898) first seen 1888 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Lesson in Latin (1888), st. 3
“Madame Defarge: And now, let us end this meeting on a high note. [proceeds to sing a sharp high note, followed by the rest of the revolutionaries]”
Mel Brooks (born 1926) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Novelists do not write as birds sing, by the push of nature. It is part of the job that there should be much routine and some daily stuff on the level of carpentry.”
William Golding (1911–1993) first seen 1977 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rough Magic". University of Kent at Canterbury, 16 February 1977
“Torture will give a dozen pence or more To keep a drab from bawling at his door. The public taste is quite a different thing— Torture is positively paid to sing.”
Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953) said by 1953 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There's somethin' about singing, that is the business! You sing, women go crazy! 'Cause Mick Jagger is an ugly motherfucker...with big-ass lips! Mick Jagger's lips so big, black people be goin', 'He got some big-ass lips! These are big motherfuckin' lips!'”
Eddie Murphy (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Michael Jackson, who can sing, and is a good lookin' guy - but ain't the most masculine fellow in the world.”
Eddie Murphy (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You don't even have to be able to talk. Just sing and get famous. 'Cause James Brown's been singin' 30 years. I don't know what the fuck James is talkin' about!”
Eddie Murphy (born 1961) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And I sing this for the captainWhose ship has not been builtFor the mother in confusion Her cradle still unfilled For the heart with no companion For the soul without a king For the prima ballerina Who cannot dance to anything”
Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“...In that moment I understood what it was for – it’s really for anybody to have those words and feel validated. Even if no one else believes you, even if you’ve not believed yourself, even if you still don’t believe yourself, let me give you these words to sing and at some point you’re gonna feel it and you’re gonna have compassion for yourself, finally, hopefully.”
Fiona Apple (born 1977) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the song "For Her" and the epiphany she had in "Fiona Apple on the album of the year, Grammys hypocrisy and how #MeToo helped her get sober" in The Guardian (2020 Dec 18)
“O sons of Peace, sons of the One Catholic [Church], walk in your way, and sing as you walk. Travelers do this in order to keep up their spirits.”
Augustine of Hippo (354–430) said by 430 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The easiest way to avoid wrong notes is to never open your mouth and sing. What a mistake that would be.”
Pete Seeger (1919–2014) said by 2014 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I sing my sorrow and paint my joy.”
Joni Mitchell (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I will follow my instincts, be myself for good or ill, and see what will be the upshot. As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”
John Muir (1838–1914) said by 1914 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: attributed to a Muir "autobiographical notebook" in Linnie Marsh Wolfe, Son of the Wilderness: The Life of John Muir (1945), page 144
“I used to envy the father of our race, dwelling as he did in contact with the new-made fields and plants of Eden; but I do so no more, because I have discovered that I also live in "creation's dawn." The morning stars still sing together, and the world, not yet half made, becomes more beautiful every day.”
John Muir (1838–1914) first seen 1873 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Explorations in the Great Tuolumne Cañon", Overland Monthly, volume XI, number 2 (August 1873) pages 139-147 (at page 143); modified and reprinted in John of the Mountains (1938), page 72
“Happy will be the men who, having the power and the love and the benevolent forecast to [create a park], will do it. They will not be forgotten. The trees and their lovers will sing their praises, and generations yet unborn will rise up and call them blessed.”
John Muir (1838–1914) first seen 1888 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Basin of the Columbia River" in Picturesque California (1888-1890); reprinted in Steep Trails (1918), chapter 22
“Sit down in climbing, and hear the pines sing.”
John Muir (1838–1914) said by 1914 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It was announced that Ricky Martin will perform at the Lincoln Memorial as part of President Bush's inauguration. Apparently, Mr. Bush's first step in restoring the dignity of the presidency is having a soap star sing "She Bangs" at the foot of the Great Emancipator.”
“Marcia: It's lovely to see you stand so still and so metered, and sing so beautifully. I do believe in you very much Hayley, but I mean, I believe in everyone who has performed tonight. I fought for you, and I will always fight for you no matter what, because I think you're a very beautiful singer.”
Hayley Jensen (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Dicko: There was something missing from that performance. It was the tick tick tick of your mind working. That was the first time we saw you sing without thinking about what you're doing. Now the trick is to follow along on that road. Simple melody sung beautifully - well done.”
Hayley Jensen (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Marcia: I love you, they love you, always sing from your heart.”
Hayley Jensen (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mark: I felt that you were singing it to your husband, but I'd suggest that you should block everyone else out and REALLY sing it to your man.”
Hayley Jensen (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What would dawn have been like, had you awakened? It would have sung through your bones. All I can do this morning is let it sing through mine.”
Diane Ackerman (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“— How is it, Chloe, that your pretty skirt Is torn so badly by the winds that hurt Real people, you who, in eternity, sing The hours, sun in your hair appearing And disappearing? How is that your breasts Are pierced by shrapnel, and the oak groves burn, While you, charmed, caring not at all, turn To run through forests of machinery and concrete And haunt us with the echoes of your feet?”
Czesław Miłosz (1911–2004) first seen 1941 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Book in the Ruins" (1941)
“Britney Spears comes on and she's singing about Pepsi, except you don't know what she's saying, because she can't fucking sing, so what you have is this: titty titty titty titty titty titty titty, ass ass ass, titty titty titty titty, ass, ass, BIG ASS, titty titty titty titty titty titty ass ass titty ass.”
Lewis Black (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She was married for seven years to a concrete castle king. She said she wanted to learn to play the guitar and to hear her children sing. So I'd show up about once a week in my faded tight-legged jeans with a backlog full of hobo stories and dilapidated dreams.”
Harry Chapin (1942–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Strum your guitar sing it kid Just write about your feelings not the things you never did Inexperience, it once had cursed me But your youth is no handicap it's what makes you thirsty”
Harry Chapin (1942–1981) said by 1981 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My cousin came over to my house one day just to fool around and we said — he said, some day we should start a rock n' roll group. We could all get together. And I said, I know I guy named Al Jardine who plays bass and could probably sing good. You know. So we went from there.”
Brian Wilson (1942–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So I broke into the palace, with a sponge and a rusty spanner She said "eh, I know you and you cannot sing" I said "that's nothing you should hear me play piano”
“I'll try to sing as fast as I can, I know you all can't wait to see U2.”
Morrissey (born 1959) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Glastonbury Festival, 2011
“Workingmen of all countries, unite, Side by side we for freedom will fight: When the world and its wealth we have gained To the grafters we'll sing this refrain: You will eat, bye and bye, When you've learned how to cook and to fry Chop some wood, 'twill do you good, And you'll eat in the sweet bye and bye.”
Joe Hill (activist) first seen 1911 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Preacher and the Slave" (1911)
“Now for a good twelve-hour sleep, I told myself. Twelve solid hours. Let birds sing, let people go to work. Somewhere out there, a volcano might blow, Israeli commandos might decimate a Palestinian village. I couldn't stop it. I was going to sleep.”
Haruki Murakami (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I sing and drink and sleep on floors And try hard not to be annoyed By all these people worrying about me. So when I'm suffering through some awful drive, You occasionally cross my mind. It's my hidden hope that you are still among them. Well, are you?”
Conor Oberst (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So I want to get myself attached to something bolted down, So that these winds of circumstance won't keep blowing me around. From when I land to when I leave there is enough time to sleep and sing. I keep running around, when all I want is to lay motionless.”
Conor Oberst (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'd lock myself up in my room with my guitar. I wouldn't cry. I was afraid if I let go just a little bit, it would all go. I would sing for hours by myself . . . . It was my way of crying.”
Gloria Estefan (born 1957) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Entertainment Weekly (30 July 1993)
“Then [after Castro dies and her triumphal return to Havana], at last, I could sing for my people.”
Gloria Estefan (born 1957) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: cubanet.org (May 15, 2000)
“Of course in Miami, not denouncing Fidel Castro at every turn is almost as bad as saying Gloria Estefan can't sing.”
Gloria Estefan (born 1957) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: miaminewtimes.com (October 19, 2006)
“See, I'm looking for a man that'll rub me slow, make me sing real high when he goes down low.”
Mariah Carey (born 1969) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: One & Only", The Emancipation of Mimi, 2005.
“1. Awake, O my harp, thy cords, in praise of Mary the Virgin.Lift up thy voice, and sing the generation utterly marvelous of this virgin David's daughter, whi hath brought forth life to the world.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306–373) said by 373 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Man was born to die. What did it mean? Hanging around and waiting. Waiting for the ‘A train.’ Waiting for a pair of big breasts on some August night in a Vegas hotel room. Waiting for the mouse to sing. Waiting for the snake to grow wings. Hanging around.”
Charles Bukowski (1920–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”
Eric Berne (1910–1970) first seen 1964 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Games People Play: the Psychology of Human Relations (1964)
“I'm a musician at heart, I know I'm not really a singer. I couldn't compete with real singers. But I sing because the public buys it.”
Nat King Cole (1919–1965) said by 1965 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Nat King Cole (1990) by James Haskings
“It is quiet and peaceful here, the air is good, there are numerous gardens, and in them nightingales sing and spies lurk under the bushes.”
Maxim Gorky (1868–1936) said by 1936 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Live a balanced life — learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.”
Robert Fulghum (born 1937) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Come live with me and be my Love, And we will all the pleasures prove That hills and valleys, dales and fields, Or woods or steepy mountain yields.And we will sit upon the rocks, And see the shepherds feed their flocks By shallow rivers, to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals.And I will make thee beds of roses And a thousand fragrant posies.”
Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593) said by 1593 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The human heart is a great green tree, and many strange birds come and sing in its branches; a few build nests, but most are from far lands north and south, and never come again.”
Frank Crane (1861–1928) said by 1928 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Made a meal and threw it up on Sunday / I've got a lot of things to learn What's the matter with you? / Sing me something new The cold and wind and rain don't know / They only seem to come, and go away Stand by me / Nobody knows the way it's going to be There is one thing I can never give you / My heart will never be your home”
Noel Gallagher (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source