The difficult I'll do right now. The impossible will take a little while.

In this country, don't forget, a habit is no damn private hell. There's no solitary confinement outside of jail. A habit is hell for those you love. And in this country it's the worst kind of hell for those who love you.

Dope never helped anybody sing better or play music better or do anything better. All dope can do for you is kill you - and kill you the long, slow, hard way.

You've got to have something to eat and a little love in your life before you can hold still for any damn body's sermon on how to behave.

I don't think I ever sing the same way twice. The blues is sort of a mixed-up thing. You just have to feel it. Anything I do sing is part of my life.

When Lester plays, he almost seems to be singing; one can almost hear the words.

I don't think I'm singing. I feel like I'm playing a horn...What comes out is what I feel.