My production and songwriting and the environment around those vocals are not inspired by R&B at all.

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.

When I checked into SEAL Team One many years ago, one of the things that I noticed was there was this old guy, who was younger than I am today, who I decided that I was going to be like. I wanted to emulate what he was doing, and one of those things was he got to work before anybody else.

The song ‚Innocent‘ is a song that I wrote about something that really, really emotionally impacted me.

In my songs, I’m not saying something that’s never been said before. The have lyrics aren’t going to blow people away. It’s the emotion and the melody that drive it home.

Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing than teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.

Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.

The man who has no imagination has no wings.

Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.

I like George Carlin’s jokes. I like his humor. He’s one of my heroes, and I like what he did with talking about everyday things.

If a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind.

I’ve made sure that in any situation and with any record label, I’m allowed to write my own music.

Each morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure – that of being Salvador Dali.

Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall.

This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.

I want to be like Bruce Springsteen or something, making songs that are relevant.

The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.

I wake up every day inspiring myself, because God gave me life.

Always do whatever’s next.

Practically everybody in New York has half a mind to write a book, and does.

I always knew that St. Jude was an amazing organization but meeting the kids and seeing how the hospital works first hand was truly beautiful. It doesn’t feel like a regular hospital all dreary and sad. It’s a colorful, beautiful, comfortable, fun place to live and the energy is wonderful.

I’ve always tended to write songs prolifically.

I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.

Exploration by real people inspires us.

Wine gives a man nothing… it only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost.

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.

Life is either a great adventure or nothing.

We have art in order not to die of the truth.

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

My passion is bringing storylines around and constructing a full body of work rather than just a 16-bar verse.

Prince Charles is definitely my hero; he uses his position to do only good in this world.

When we speak of faith – the faith that can move mountains – we are not speaking of faith in general but of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have to practice to be good at guitar. I have to write 100 songs before you write the first good one.

Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour.

All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.

The Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world.

Everyone I look up to is bringing me into the tech world. You’d be surprised by all the music people in it, invested in it.

I was impressed with what someone like Karl Lagerfeld built and did and the house that he made, but there was never really a female figure I wanted to emulate.

I gather from motivation around me – from a lot of personalities who have done well in their respective fields.

Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

Having listened to great songwriters like James Taylor and Carole King, I felt there was nothing new that was coming out that really represented me and the way I felt. So I started writing my own stuff.

To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.

You can draw inspiration from anything. If you’re a good storyteller, you can take a dirty look somebody gives you, or if a guy you used to have flirtations with starts dating a new girl, or somebody you’re casually talking to says something that makes you so mad – you can create an entire scenario around that.

The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.

The influence of ‚Hidden Fortress‘ comes up a lot because it was printed in a book once. The truth is, the only thing I was inspired by was the fact that it’s told from the point of view of two peasants, who get mixed up with a samurai and princess and a lot of very high-level people.

Life begins on the other side of despair.

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

One can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude.

If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.

Everywhere I go I find that people… both leaders and individuals… are asking one basic question, ‚Is there any hope for the future?‘ My answer is the same, ‚Yes, through Jesus Christ.‘

You ask me if I keep a notebook to record my great ideas. I’ve only ever had one.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

Bill Gates has always been a mentor and inspiration for me even before I knew him. Just growing up, I admired how Microsoft was mission-focused.

All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.

In art the best is good enough.

Attitude and enthusiasm play a big part in my life. I get excited about the things that inspire me. I also believe in laughing and having a good time.