“Food makes my mind sluggish.”

I like Stan [Getz], because he has so much patience, the way he plays those melodies – other people can’t get nothing out of a song, but he can, which takes a lot of imagination.

In Europe, they like everything you do. The mistakes and everything. That’s a little bit too much.

I usually write from the rhythm section…If a drummer got a funky beat on some things – like a half-shuffle or a shuffle or a backbeat that’s even – I can write something.

A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I’m still doing it.

I don’t care if a dude is purple with green breath as long as he can swing.

It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play.

I’ll play it first and figure out what it’s called later.

You can dominate a game if you dominate on the line… We’re just going to have to go out there and work hard and blow people off the ball, and let our runners do what they do best.

The only reason to write a new song is because you’re tired of the old ones.

In other words, an instrument should be an extension of you; it’s supposed to sound like you – the way you walk, the way you dress, you know.

I know what I’ve done for music, but don’t call me a legend. Just call me Miles Davis.

Do not fear mistakes. There are none.

When you work with great musicians, they are always a part of you . . . their spirits are walking around in me, so they’re still here and passing it on to others.

You should never be comfortable, man. Being comfortable fouled up a lot of musicians.

I’m not messing around with nobody’s woman. If I want a woman I go get her – you know what I mean?

I ain’t no entertainer, and ain’t trying to be one. I am one thing, a musician.

The only thing on the mind of a shark is to eat.

She deserved her skies of rainbows, after the many storms her mind endured.

If you are open-minded and ready to learn, there are many things which you can learn not only from books and instructors but from the very life experience itself.

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.

Mentally, I have to get my body and mind in the right place before I start the routine, but once into the zone, it’s like I turn on a switch. I envision myself doing the same thing for the Olympic Games.

Slavery…dishonors labor. It introduces idleness into society, and with idleness, ignorance and pride, luxury and distress. It enervates the powers of the mind and benumbs the activity of man.

Of all the causes which conspire to blind Man’s erring judgement, and misguide the mind, What the weak head with strongest bias rules, Is PRIDE, the never-failing vice of fools.

The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.