Let's just say that I think any person who aspires, presumes, or feels the calling to be an artist has a built-in sense of duty.

Quote by Patti Smith

Topics: Patti Smith Quotes

My mother answers all my fan mail.

My mother answers all my fan mail.

Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took...

Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took...

I have a daughter who's 11 years old. Maybe she'll grow up independent and really...

I have a daughter who's 11 years old. Maybe she'll grow up independent and really...

Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire.

Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire.

I like gettin' old.

I like gettin' old.

Everyone thinks of God as a man - you can't help it - Santa Claus...

Everyone thinks of God as a man - you can't help it - Santa Claus...

If I have any regrets, I could say that I'm sorry I wasn't a better...

If I have any regrets, I could say that I'm sorry I wasn't a better...

I never thought I was gonna live to 30.

I never thought I was gonna live to 30.

Christianity made us think there's one heaven.

Christianity made us think there's one heaven.

In the period where I had to live the life of a citizen - a...

In the period where I had to live the life of a citizen - a...

Artists are traditionally resistant to labels.

Artists are traditionally resistant to labels.

I always enjoyed doing transgender songs.

I always enjoyed doing transgender songs.

Besides me wanting to be an artist, I wanted to be a movie star.

Besides me wanting to be an artist, I wanted to be a movie star.

When I was younger, I felt it was my duty to wake people up. I...

When I was younger, I felt it was my duty to wake people up. I...

Maybe I'll be 48 and die in the gutter in Paris.

Maybe I'll be 48 and die in the gutter in Paris.

The new artists coming through were very materialistic and Hollywood, not so engaged in communication.

The new artists coming through were very materialistic and Hollywood, not so engaged in communication.

Those who have suffered understand suffering and therefore extend their hand.

Those who have suffered understand suffering and therefore extend their hand.

I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very...

I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very...

Rock n' roll is dream soup, what's your brand?

First of all, anybody who has lasted 30 and went through the 60's is really...

First of all, anybody who has lasted 30 and went through the 60's is really...