Ben Harper Quotes

I just want to keep doing what I feel.

As long as someone else controls your history the truth shall remain just a mystery

You can't just say 'I love you,' you have to live 'I love you.'

But I would never insult the people that love this music and I would never insult the blessing of music in my life and I would never insult myself by playing uninspired music.

I don't know how to not become every person I walk by.

I can't not put myself in the shoes of every person I pass.

Love for me is my North Star. It's the highest form of grace. And I love that there's different levels and different ways of showing it, and different representations of it. Whether it's love shown to a stranger, love to a sibling, your child, your parents, your partner.

If interviews are just interviews or if music is just music, why are we even doing it? You only get so many hours in a lifetime, man.

I get diminishing returns when I bore myself in an interview.

It's not easy for a mother and son to sing a duet. You can't just sing about anything.

I dont know if hell exists, but there sure as hell are some people who dont belong in heaven.

I'm really looking forward to, not more of the same, but a continual growth.

I refuse to age disgracefully in rock 'n' roll.

If I'm inspired and music inspires me, then I will continue to play it.

It will make a weak man mighty. it will make a mighty man fall. It will fill your heart and hands or leave you with nothing at all. It's the eyes for the blind and legs for the lame. It is the love for hate and pride for shame. That's the power of the gospel.

I want to try to not be the child that had to go through too much too young. I want to be who I am now and not who I was then.

I'm not going to do the Ben Harper house record or the Ben Harper drum 'n' bass record.

My choice is what I choose to be.

You can kill a lot of time if you really want to put your mind to it Or leave it all behind and never really have to go through it

Folk is bare bones music.

You look like gold. I've been fooled before, but now I know I've made the mistake in the past. But now I, now I know the difference from gold and brass.

I want to try to be who I am today, not who I was yesterday.

Could've sworn I heard you say Amen this morning, showing some kind of sign that you believe. Did it fall from your tongue without warning? Or just another trick to fall from your sleeve?

Don't be discouraged by writer's block. Writer's block just means you need to listen to other music.

I really feel like the sky is the limit with the Innocent Criminals today.

Wish there was something that I could say or do, I can resist anything but the temptation from you. But I'd rather walk alone than chase you around, I'd rather fall myself then let you drag me on down.

My family owns a music store in Claremont, California, called The Claremont Folk Music Center.

When you hear Doc Watson singing Amazing Grace, something else enters the room.

These eyes weren't made for crying, this love wasn't made to waste. These arms weren't made for battle, but to share in your embrace.

You have to do what you believe in.

If you're gonna live, then live it up. If you're gonna give, then give it up. If you're gonna walk the Earth, then walk it proud. If you're gonna say the word, you got to say it loud.

Life is short and if you're looking for extension, you had best do well. 'Cause there's good deeds and then there's good intentions. They are as far apart as Heaven and Hell.

It just takes a pebble to bring down a good man.

When you have everything, you have everything to lose.

With so many people to love in my life, why do I worry about one?

Every man's actions belong to him.

I'm a living sunset, lightning in my bones.

To go through this life and see it through - what it really is - and not be insane or addicted, is a minor miracle for anyone.

Try it first And you'll see its a blessing And it's not a curse

There's something in everyone only they know.

That happens every time I get behind a guitar, regardless of what I'm saying, 'cause music is freedom and being free is the closest I've ever felt to being spiritual.

I refuse to make uninspired music.

Every single time I step into the studio, I say, 'Can I still do this? Do I still have it? Have I ever had it?' I suppose there's a good amount of self-loathing that goes into any form of artisanship.

My choice is what I choose to do, And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be, And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me. If you don't like my fire, then don't come around, 'cause I'm gonna burn one down. Yes, I'm gonna burn one down. Herb the gift from the earth, And what's from the earth is of the greatest worth. So before you knock it try it first, Oh, you'll see it's a blessing and not a curse.

We've changed our reflections, but inside we're just a child.

Let us burn one from end to end, and pass it over to me my friend.

Hiding is not an option and you're going to step out and you're going to make mistakes. I'm going to look stupid. I'm going to say things I want to retract. I'm going to sing notes I wish I could have back, there's just no getting around the stumble, but if you stumble enough times you're going to fall off the edge and have no choice but to freakin' fly.

My head works in music, so there's always music there.