There's two or three kids out there trying to make good music, and the rest of them sound like it's been strained through some kind of white toast or…

- Merle Haggard

Hey, hey, the working man, the working man like me. I ain't never been on welfare, that's one place I won't be.

- Merle Haggard

Momma tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied, and that leaves only me to blame, cause Momma tried.

- Merle Haggard

Willie Nelson's the one who told me the reason it costs so much to get divorced is because it's worth it.

- Merle Haggard

The only thing that I miss lately in all music is somebody that will put out a melody that you can whistle. It doesn't seem like there's anything hap…

- Merle Haggard

Lay in the weeds and wait, and when you get your chance to say something, say something good.

- Merle Haggard

I'll tell you what the public likes more than anything, it's the most rare commodity in the world - honesty.

- Merle Haggard

Keep your opinions to yourself. I think it's important that I stay neutral on politics and remain hard to understand. I don't want to be pigeonholed …

- Merle Haggard

To be part of what you're singing about is somewhat painful. You've got to climb inside it all.

- Merle Haggard