Famous quotes
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“So did she move; so did she sing Like the Harmonious spheres that bring Unto their Rounds their musick's ayd; Which she performed such a way, As all th' inamour'd world will say The Graces daunced, and Apollo play'd.”
Richard Lovelace (poet) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The main misfortune, the root of all evil to come, was loss of the confidence in the value of one's own opinion. People imagined that it was out of date of follow their own moral sense, that they must all sing in chorus, and live by other people's notions, notions that were crammed down everybody's throat.”
Boris Pasternak (1890–1960) first seen 1958 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Boris Pasternak" in I.F. Stone's Weekly (3 November 1958), § "Words Which Apply to Us As Well As Russia"; later in The Best of I.F. Stone (2006), p. 43
“I'm not a biter, I'm a writer for myself and others / I say a B.I.G. verse, I'm only biggin' up my brother / Biggin' up my borough, I'm big enough to do it / I'm that thorough, plus I know my own flow is foolish / So them rings and things you sing about, bring 'em out / It's hard to yell when the bar-rell's in your mouth”
“Could she sing? (Was it nice to hear when she did?) Was she pretty? Was she a good friend? Could she have been a loving mother? A faithful wife? Have I got a sister and does she favor me? If my mother knew me would she like me?”
Toni Morrison (1931–2019) said by 2019 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Then let not what I cannot have My cheer of mind destroy. Whilst thus I sing, I am a king, Although a poor blind boy!”
Colley Cibber (1671–1757) said by 1757 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Ahh... Is he gonna sing "Happy birthday" to her next ?”
CM Punk (born 1978) first seen 2010 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: December 13, 2010 (Slammy Awards) - During The Miz segment with the "Miz girl". Punk is actually referring to his own disturbing segment in which he sang "Happy birthday" to Rey Mysterio's daughter on the March 12, 2010…
“If thou would'st have me sing and play As once I play'd and sung, First take this time-worn lute away, And bring one freshly strung.”
Thomas Moore (1779–1852) said by 1852 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She sighed. “Things the Creator Himself made have perished, Beauty, because of what someone else does. The Holy One makes a tree that lives for four thousand years, and someone chops it down to make paper to package chewing gum. The Creator makes whales who sing in the deep, and men kill them to put their oil in lipsticks.”
Sheri S. Tepper (1929–2016) said by 2016 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When panting sighs the bosom fill, And hands by chance united thrill At once with one delicious pain The pulses and the nerves of twain; When eyes that erst could meet with ease, Do seek, yet, seeking, shyly shun Ecstatic conscious unison,— The sure beginnings, say, be these Prelusive to the strain of love Which angels sing in heaven above?”
Arthur Hugh Clough (1819–1861) first seen 1844 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Love and Reason, st. 1 (1844)
“The child is not mine as the first was, I cannot sing it to rest, I cannot lift it up fatherly And bliss it upon my breast; Yet it lies in my little one's cradle And sits in my little one's chair, And the light of the heaven she's gone to Transfigures its golden hair.”
James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) first seen 1879 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Changeling, st. 7 (1879)
“The Maple puts her corals on in May, While loitering frosts about the lowlands cling, To be in tune with what the robins sing.”
James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) first seen 1875 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sonnet, The Maple" (1875), p. 113
“In my ideal world, no child would suffer. Charitable instincts would prevail. There would be global acceptance of all different types of people." —Learning To Sing, Page 240”
Clay Aiken (born 1978) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Beneath the crisp and wintry carpet hid A million buds but stay their blossoming And trustful birds have built their nests amid The shuddering boughs, and only wait to sing Till one soft shower from the south shall bid And hither tempt the pilgrim steps of Spring.”
Robert Bridges (1844–1930) first seen 1876 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Growth of Love, Sonnet 6 (1876).
“We can do the innuendo, We can dance and sing And when it's said and done We haven't told you a thing, We all know that crap is king, give us dirty laundry.”
Don Henley (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are in the habit of thinking in terms of great leaders largely because the leaders themselves want it that way. The pharaohs ordered that a record of their accomplishments be carved on stone; medieval nobles subsidized troubadours to sing their praises; today's world leaders have large staffs of public-relations consultants. No culture can be explained in terms of one or more leaders...”
Peter Farb (1929–1980) said by 1980 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“O let the organ, many-voiced, sing boldly, O let it roar like spring's first thunderstorm! My half-closed eyes over your young bride's shoulder Will meet your eyes just once and then no more.”
Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In the black sky no star is seen, somewhere in ambush lurks the Angel of Death, but the spices tongues of the masqueraders are loose and shameless A shout: "Make way for the hero!" Ah yes. Displacing the tall one, he will step forth now without fail and sing to us about holy vengeance...”
Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's definitely a different world. Smoking is bad for your voice, for sure, but you learn to function in that world of bad. Now I'm in better shape, and I'm much more physical onstage, but I have to watch getting winded. Once I'm winded, I don't sing right. I would have smoked three cigarettes already during this interview [laughs].”
Chris Cornell (1964–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Evangelion (that we call the gospel) is a Greek word and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man's heart glad and maketh him sing, dance, and leap for joy.”
William Tyndale (1494–1536) said by 1536 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Selected Writings (2003) edited by David Daniell
“Take it back Oh, take it back I don't want your lovin', anymore Let me live Oh, let me live It's not you who I sing for”
Zooey Deschanel (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The world’s been waiting, they’ve been waiting for years And they’ve just gotta hear it The kids are waiting, they’ve been shedding tears So open your arms and sing for us”
Zooey Deschanel (born 1980) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And you can cage the songbird, But you can't make her sing. And you can trap the free bird, But you'll have to clip her wings. `Cause she'll soar like a hawk when she flies, But she'll dive like an eagle when she dies.”
Elton John (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's actually quite difficult to stay awake while watch golf on television. It's a great sleep inducer. I think this is why the commentators in golf whisper. They don't want to wake you up. 'Looks like Tiger has about a twenty foot putt, and while he's lining it up I'll take this opportunity to sing "Rock-a-Bye baby,...".”
Jeff Stilson (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You asked me whether you could learn to sing. I don't know. It could well be that you have the makings of a singer. It could well be that the world will give you the best that it has: glory, power, honor, what else is there? Palaces and parks, perhaps? Or merry meadows? And then what?”
Halldór Laxness (1902–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I say, and have always said, and will always say: the fish that does not sing throughout the whole world is a dead fish.”
Halldór Laxness (1902–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And every word that you speak makes my heart sing when it's weak for often this outlook on life can be bleak.”
Ed Harcourt (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“God, you make me sing. Funny things about you You infect my mind. All the time, you do.”
Ed Harcourt (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lend ear while things incredible we bring about And Spacemen dead and deathless yet we sing about:— And some were weak and wan, and some were strong enough, And some got home, but damn it took them long enough!”
R. A. Lafferty (1914–2002) said by 2002 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“'Monday and Tuesday and Monday and Tuesday and Monday and Tuesday,' so the poor slaves had to sing in their labor for the puca. And finally a great savior broke the charm. 'And Wednesday too' he said, and then it was all over with." "Roadstrum is the great savior who breaks the charm," Roadstrum announced. "I will set a Wednesday-term to the monster. But there are other elements in this…”
R. A. Lafferty (1914–2002) said by 2002 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sing on, with hymns uproarious, Ye humble and aloof, Look up! and oh how glorious He has restored the roof!”
John Betjeman (1906–1984) said by 1984 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Don Wilson: I don't think you know how much it means to me to do the commercial. After all I'm not a funny man. I can't sing or dance. I don't lead a band. What are you paying me for?”
Jack Benny (1894–1974) said by 1974 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There's something really personal about your voice, where if people talk shit on your guitar, "Ugh, he played out of tune," etc., you can, in your head, blame it on something else, but when you fuck up with your singing, that's part of you [...] So I guess I'm an insecure enough dude that I just went back and really studied and tried to sing better.”
Patrick Stump (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I can't stand that asshole Ryan Seacrest and here's why. He can't sing. He can't dance. He has no talent. When is he gonna go away?”
Kathy Griffin (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Has it never occurred to us, when surrounded by sorrows, that they may be sent to us only for our instruction, as we darken the cages of birds when we wish to teach them to sing?”
Jean Paul (1763–1825) said by 1825 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“They are laundry detergents who sing.”
Lobão (born 1957) first seen 1736 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: IstoÉ magazine, issue #1736
“That day of battle in the dusty heat We lay and heard the bullets swish and sing Like scythes amid the over-ripened wheat, And we the harvest of their garnering.”
John McCrae (1872–1918) first seen 1906 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Unconquered Dead", st. 2. From the University Magazine (1906)
“Never teach a pig to sing.”
Mike Lange (1948–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Perez [Hilton]: Are you drunk right now? Grohl: No, I gotta play. Perez: Britney Spears has been getting wasted all the time, hasn't stopped her. Grohl: Yeah, but she doesn't have to sing live.”
Dave Grohl (born 1969) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in Shirley Halperin, "My Summer With the Foo Fighters," Entertainment Weekly (2007-09-21)
“Muse who in the past inspired me to sing of the throes of love: Go and repose. What I need is a sword, rivers of gold, and acrid prose.”
José Rizal (1861–1896) first seen 1890 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To My__" (December 1890)- translated by Nick Joaquin
“I’ve lived on my own since I was 13 and not been to school and brought a son up who’s now 18 and run theatre companies and bought a butcher’s shop, learnt guitar by myself, taught myself to sing and that sort of stuff.”
Stella Vine (born 1969) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Billen, Andrew. "I Made More Money As A Stripper...", (2004-06-15)
“Eyes forward! Sing a paean to the light That God gives us to net the distant stars In eyes that once were blinded with black earth. Man had no time for aught but toll, no space For aught but war. Yet God, in His great love, Has cleared our eyes and given a hint of Power.”
Philip José Farmer (1918–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The moon draws back its waters from the shore. By the lake's edge, I see a silver swan, And she is what I would. In this light air, Lost opposites bend down — Sing of that nothing of which all is made, Or listen into silence, like a god.”
Theodore Roethke (1908–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The wisdom of the Lord is infinite as are also His glory and His power. Ye heavens, sing His praises: sun, moon, and planets, glorify Him in your ineffable language! Praise Him, celestial harmonies, and all ye who can comprehend them! And thou, my soul, praise thy Creator! It is by Him and in Him that all exist.”
Johannes Kepler (1572–1630) said by 1630 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Forty Thousand Sublime and Beautiful Thoughts (1904) ed. Charles Noel Douglas, p. 845. See also Methodist Review (1873), vol. 55, pp. 187–88.
“What's got into your head? That I'm returning to my origins? The important things I have in my blood and nobody is going to take them away. I'm here to drink a bottle of my wine and sing a little–with anybody.”
Cesare Pavese (1908–1950) said by 1950 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If I cannot sing a work, I cannot conduct it.”
Thomas Beecham (1879–1961) said by 1961 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you can show me how I can cling to that which is real to me, while teaching me a way into the larger society, then I will not only drop my defenses and my hostility, but I will sing your praises and help you to make the desert bear fruit.”
Ralph Ellison (1914–1994) first seen 1963 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: What These Children Are Like" (1963), in The Collected Essays, ed. John F. Callahan (New York: Modern Library, 1995), p. 555.
“The softer you sing, the louder you're heard.”
Donovan (born 1946) first seen 1967 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview in the first issue Rolling Stone magazine (9 November 1967); also in Pop Chronicles, Show 48 - The British are Coming! The British are Coming!: With an emphasis on Donovan, the Bee Gees and the Who.
“For me to love you now Would be the sweetest thing, 'Twould make me sing, Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.”
“Let us rejoice and let us sing and dance and ring in the new: Hail Atlantis!”
“I just wanted to sing on TV.”
Sanjaya Malakar (born 1989) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source