Inspiration quotes

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.

The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

Richard Burton came from the same town as me, so I thought I’d follow my nose, and follow my luck. I think I’ve been very lucky.

One thing that writers have in common is that they are readers first. They have read lots and lots of stuff, because they’re just infested with lots of stuff.

One of the wonderful things about Oprah: She teaches you to keep on stepping.

It is a fact often observed, that men have written good verses under the inspiration of passion, who cannot write well under other circumstances.

I believe that one person can make a difference.

The genesis of a poem for me is usually a cluster of words. The only good metaphor I can think of is a scientific one: dipping a thread into a supersaturated solution to induce crystal formation. I don’t think I solve problems in my poetry; I think I uncover the problems.

You just don’t wake up one day and decide that you need to write songs.

I respect Drake not only as a creative person but as a business mind as well. I think Drake’s important.

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be around. I’ll probably be writing when the Lord says, ‚Maya, Maya Angelou, it’s time.‘

Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.

Happiness is a ball after which we run wherever it rolls, and we push it with our feet when it stops.

Unless and until you inspire the people, you will not get results. Imposition will never give you the results. Inspiration will always give you the results.

Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.

In art the best is good enough.

I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

To all the musicians who are making reggaeton, let’s put some more effort into it and bring something new to the people!

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

If I’m gonna write songs about my exes, they can write songs about me. That’s how it works.

If I could write directly on a typewriter or a computer, I would do it. But keyboards have always intimidated me. I’ve never been able to think clearly with my fingers in that position. A pen is a much more primitive instrument. You feel that the words are coming out of your body and then you dig the words into the page.

When ideas fail, words come in very handy.

Sports are basically our way of feeling sorry for ourselves. Most men can’t become athletes. We’re watching guys who actually made it. We see them dunking and making touchdowns. Then we think about ourselves when we were younger.

It’s a blessing that South Africa has a man like Nelson Mandela.

Life is too short to be little. Man is never so manly as when he feels deeply, acts boldly, and expresses himself with frankness and with fervor.

We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.

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

Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors.

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.

Genius is a potential that lives within you and every other human being. You have many moments of genius in your lifetime. These are the times when you have a uniquely brilliant idea and implement it even if only you are aware of how fantastic it is.

I hope my story inspires everyone out there to keep hustling and chasing their dreams.

Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery.

I think my biggest musical hero growing up was probably Ian MacKaye. He set a great example for all of us local musicians. Still, to this day, I see him as the best example of a right-on musician.

I had to get rich so I could sing like I was poor again.

We live in a culture that relishes tearing others down. It’s ultimately more fulfilling, though, to help people reach their goals. Instead of feeling jealous, remember: If God did it for them, He can do it for you.

I’m really bad with answering questions. Usually, I don’t even answer them. I try to find inspiration inside of the question. I think, and I jump from one beam of inspiration or energy to the next, as opposed to explaining the energy.

Van Gogh never made a penny in his entire lifetime. He painted because it was his soul, his excitement. It was what aligned him with his Source of being. It’s the same with me and writing.

Civil disobedience’s main goal typically is to try to arouse and inspire others to join and do something. Well, sometimes that is a good tactic, sometimes not.

People have to go through trials and tribulations to get where they at. Do your thing – continue to rock it – because obviously, God wants you here.

I’m a big perfectionist! I’m trying to channel super-confident women like Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and Beyonce, because I realized that if you want something, you really have to go for it, just like they do.

One element of Madonna’s career that really takes center stage is how many times she’s reinvented herself. It’s easier to stay in one look, one comfort zone, one musical style. It’s inspiring to see someone whose only predictable quality is being unpredictable.

A lot of people don’t realise I came out of the Smoky Mountains with a load of songs.

Don’t gain the world and lose your soul; wisdom is better than silver or gold.

In art, at a certain level, there is no ‚better than.‘ It’s just about trying to operate for yourself on the most supreme level, artistically, that you can and hoping that people get it. Trusting that, just because of the way people are built and how interconnected we are, greatness will translate and symmetry will be recognised.

The hope, the hope that lives in the breast of the black American, is just so tremendous that it overwhelms me sometimes.

Better the rudest work that tells a story or records a fact, than the richest without meaning.

Nay, be a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you, opening new channels, not of trade, but of thought.

Every day, the people I meet inspire me… every day, they make me proud… every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.

If they can make penicillin out of mouldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.

Art’s everything we hope life would be, a lot of times.

The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them.

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.

I love those who yearn for the impossible.

I’m not a big believer in trying to jam stuff down somebody’s throat: ‚You’re going to do it my way.‘ I’d rather show by example and live my life and have people say, ‚You know what, I want to live like Joel has. He’s got peace and joy, and he seems content.‘

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.

You don’t have to be a renowned artist like Q-Tip to try your hand at poetry. You don’t need any special equipment – that’s the beauty of it.

Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.

I think New York has evolved in my work just the way the city has.

My music definitely comes from a place of experience. Everything connects to a truth.

Neil Young is my hero, and such a great example. You know what that guy has been doing for the past 40 years? Making music. That’s what that guy does. Sometimes you pay attention, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes he hands it to you, sometimes he keeps it to himself. He’s a good man with a beautiful family and wonderful life.