When I was younger, I felt it was my duty to wake people up. I thought poetry was asleep. I thought rock 'n' roll was asleep.

Quote by Patti Smith

Topics: Patti Smith Quotes

Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire.

Never let go of that fiery sadness called desire.

No, my work does not reflect my sexual preferences, it reflects the fact that I...

No, my work does not reflect my sexual preferences, it reflects the fact that I...

Christianity made us think there's one heaven.

Christianity made us think there's one heaven.

I've always thrived on the encouragement of others.

I've always thrived on the encouragement of others.

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

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

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...

Mohammed personally mapped out seven heavens. If he got to seven, you know there's more.

Mohammed personally mapped out seven heavens. If he got to seven, you know there's more.

As far as I'm concerned, being any gender is a drag.

As far as I'm concerned, being any gender is a drag.

An artist is somebody who enters into competition with God.

An artist is somebody who enters into competition with God.

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

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

People have the power to redeem the work of fools.

People have the power to redeem the work of fools.

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...

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.

Horses pretty much broke as a record in England.

Horses pretty much broke as a record in England.

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.

Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine.

Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine.

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...

I never thought I was gonna live to 30.

I never thought I was gonna live to 30.

In fact, I thought my calling was to be a painter.

In fact, I thought my calling was to be a painter.

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...