I had one of those headaches. It kept pounding and got into that crazy realm where the guillotine seems like a good idea.

— Patti Smith

I have great respect for my parents. I got such beautiful things from both of them. It doesn't mean that we didn't have our rough times, but they were remarkable people who were open-minded, creative and hard-working, and had great senses of humor.

— Patti Smith

I learned from him that often contradiction is the clearest way to truth

— Patti Smith

I'm a human being, I'm a friend, I'm a mom, I'm a writer, and I'm an artist. I do play electric guitar and all of that, but in the end, I'm just a person.

— Patti Smith

I may not know what is in your mind, but I know how your mind works.

— Patti Smith

I'm not afraid of terrorism at all. I'm afraid of loss of our freedom, loss of mobility, loss of global comradeship.

— Patti Smith

I'm not really a musician. I'm a performer, and I love rock n' roll. Furthermore, I've embraced rock n' roll because it encompasses all the things I'm interested in: poetry, revolution, sexuality, political activism - all of these things can be found in rock n' roll.

— Patti Smith

In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.

— Patti Smith

In my way of thinking, anything is possible. Life is at the bottom of things and belief at the top, while the creative impulse, dwelling in the center, informs all.

— Patti Smith

In the war of magic and religion, is magic ultimately the victor? Perhaps priest and magician were once one, but the priest, learning humility in the face of God, discarded the spell for prayer.

— Patti Smith