An artist may have burdens the ordinary citizen doesn't know, but the ordinary citizen has burdens that many artists never even touch.
Patti SmithThe thing I've always liked about performing is that I decide what I want to wear, whether I want to comb my hair.
Patti SmithI daydream a lot - that's how I get my ideas. If I'm sitting in a cafรฉ, I'm not on my phone because I want to hear my mind. I think that those periods of small solitude that we are really losing are so important.
Patti SmithI've never felt grounded because of my ancestry or my gender. I think until women get away from that they're not going to be great writers.
Patti SmithBuild a good name. Keep your name clean. Donโt make compromises, donโt worry about making a bunch of money or being successful. Be concerned about doing good work. Protect your work and if you build a good name, eventually that name will be its own currency. Life is like a roller coaster ride, it is never going to be perfect. It is going to have perfect moments and rough spots, but itโs all worth it.
Patti Smith