I've always known that I was a gifted person. ... I've always felt like I would be punished, severely, if I didn't continue to make use of that gift. It's very important that you don't let the muscle get flabby. It's really hard, as an old human being, to press as much weight as you pressed when you were a kid.
Merle HaggardWe are under [government's] control, and if people don't realize that, they haven't looked around. And if they're not paranoid, they haven't thought about it.
Merle HaggardI'm proud to be an Oakie from Muskogee, a place where even squares can have a ball. We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse and white lightning's still the biggest thrill of all.
Merle HaggardI was 48-years old before anybody talked me into it for medicinal purposes, instead of some of these drugs that they give you that will lead you to heart surgery and things of that nature.
Merle HaggardRead about some squirrelly guy who claims that he just don't believe in fighting, and I wonder how long the rest of us can count on being free.
Merle HaggardKeep your opinions to yourself. I think it's important that I stay neutral on politics and remain hard to understand. I don't want to be pigeonholed as conservative, liberal, independent or anything. I back the man for the things the man believes in, not whether it says "R" or "D" down there beside his name.
Merle Haggard