Common Quotes

Time is real, we can't rewind it... Out of everybody I met, who told the truth? Time did.

Man, just believe in yourself, be able to dream, and know that there's going to be valleys and peaks. Always stay centered, and know that God is the key, the beginning and end of everything you do.

I love black thighs, you sisters better realize That real hair and real eyes get real guys. So before you makeup your face, you better make up your mind.

Never lookin' back or too far in front of me; the present is a gift and I just wanna be.

Education is what you get from reading the small print; experience is what you get from not reading it.

I just want people to feel like they can achieve something great in their lives. We all go through rough times, but love is the antidote. You've got to dream and just believe in yourself. And if you believe, you will achieve it.

I put God first, and strive to do my best by being a loving human being, recognizing that sometimes I make mistakes and bad choices.

One day it'll all make sense.

Not everyone is the same. You can't label a person just because of what they do or what they've done.

I appreciate this moment in time...ball players and actors be knowing my rhymes

I met this girl when I was ten years old, And what I loved most she had so much soul. She was old school, when I was just a shorty Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me.

Come close to me baby. Let your love hold you. I know this world is crazy, but what's it without you?

If heaven had a height, you would be that tall

I want a better world, I want love and harmony amongst people no matter what color you are, what race or what background you come from or sexual orientation.

I believe in heaven more than hell, lessons more than jail. In the ghetto, let love prevail with a story to tell. My eyes see the glory, and well, The world waiting for me to yell, "I Have A Dream!"

We as people have a purpose here to contribute to the Earth, to contribute to people's goodness and good life.

I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand, but instead was given a bullet.

Don't believe in role models, but if I do, then I'm mine

I attribute my ability to maintain cool to God, self-esteem, and knowing my purpose in life. It can't be based on anything material or external.

As I got to know the people of the Civil Rights Movement, I realized... I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote. I am the caring white supporter killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand, but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers murdered in the line of duty. 'Selma' has awakened my humanity.

Now is our time to change the world

When I see people of my likeness, or who are somebody that I feel connected to, doing something great, I fee like I can do it. It gives me some hope and vision.

When you see people that lived their purpose and sacrificed, who are everyday people - teachers, sanitation workers, and just people from all walks of life - that said, "I'm standing up for what I believe in. I'm standing up for my community." That reaffirms what you can do.

When you have style, it doesn't matter what other people are saying.

All that glisters is not gold.

Whether the people in Haiti, the young kids in Chicago that [are] going through violence, or whether you're in Atlanta or L.A. or Europe - it's not even color barriers for me - I go to where I know there's a lot of turmoil and pain.

God created me to be an individual. And I am a Chicago dude that grew up the way I grew up and was named Rashid and was given a certain purpose and mission. So, I am rare for those reasons.

If the eyes are the window to your soul open eyes bring the cold.

I bathe in basslines, rinse in riffs, dry in drums

My mom has obviously had a powerful influence on my life and her voice can describe certain things that I couldn't see in myself.

I tend to look at the good things about what's going on in life, and I do that the best I can. At the end of the day - I have felt outside at times - but always man, I keep my eyes on the prize and know that I can get inside if I choose.

I start thinking: How many souls hip-hop has affected? How many dead folks this art resurrected? How many nations this culture connected? Who am I to judge one's perspective?

I sit and think with a drink about how I'm gonna win.

I wonder if these wack niggas realize they wack, And they the reason that my people say they tired of rap.

I felt like I had experienced a lot of things in the first chapter of my life, and I wanted it to inspire and motivate people, so I just started writing.

It's hard to see blessings in a violent culture

To be a storyteller is to be able to speak truth, to be able to use your imagination, to use the creative gifts that the Creator has given you.

Now I'm on the rise, doin' business with my guys. Visions realize, music [your craft] affected lives. A gift from the skies, to be recognized, I'm keeping my eye on the people, that's the prize

I look into mother's stomach, wonder if you are a boy or a girl Turnin' this woman's womb into a tomb But she and I agree, a seed we don't need You would've been much more than a mouth to feed But someone I would've fed this information I read To someone my life for you I would've had to leave Instead I led you to death.

God is my guide, so I try to not judge myself too much, knowing that at the end of the day, my greatest judge will be Jehovah God.

I embody EVERYTHING from the Godly to the party.

This is my inception, I'm writing my dreams.

One thing I always loved about hip-hop music was the raw, boom-bap element - it felt powerful and manly.

Justice is juxtaposition in us Justice for all just ain't specific enough.

To me to be a storyteller is you got to be able to speak the truth. You've got to be able to absorb life and take in life and be able to interpret it in a way that anybody in this room could say, "Man, that's my story. I can relate to that."

To have my name said like, "Common and John Legend, Golden Globe nominees," is one of the greatest achievements I've ever had as an artist, as a person.

Even through the unseen, I know that God watches, From one King's dream, he was able to Barack us.

Burn a Bush cause for peace he no push no button. Killing over oil and grease, no weapons of destruction, How can we follow a leader when this a corrupt one?

The possibility of an Oscar is something I definitely think about and the fact that I can even say that is just a blessing. It's something I would be incredibly honored to be a part of.

I'm a black man that is proud to be black, and I want to help the black community, but I love all mankind.