Ray Charles

I don't think any of us really knows why we're here. But I think we're supposed to believe we're here for a purpose.

I really feel that if you're gonna be good, you gotta practice... Practice whatever the hell you do.

[On his heroin addiction:] I did it to myself. It wasn't society...it wasn't a pusher, it wasn't being blind or being black or being poor. It was all my doing.

Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory.

Affluence separates people. Poverty knits 'em together. You got some sugar and I don't; I borrow some of yours. Next month you might not have any flour; well, I'll give you some of mine.