Somebody said he came from New Orleans, where he got in a fight over a Cajun queen. And a crushing blow from a huge right hand, sent a Louisiana fella to the Promised Land.

Poverty was the greatest motivating factor in my life.

You gotta try your luck at least once a day, because you could be going around lucky all day and not even know it.

A lot of things I am, and a lot of things I am not. But I think I'm about as good an American as there is. I love this country. It's been very, very good to me. And it will be good to anybody if they are willing to give of themselves.

I've seen so many people in this business that made a fortune. They get old and broke and can't make any money. I tell you something... no one's going to play a benefit for Jimmy Dean.

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

Do what you say you're going to do. And try to do it a little bit better than you said you would.