Quotes by Phil Ochs

• There is an urgent need for Americans to look deeply into themselves and their actions, and musical poetry is perhaps the most effective mirror available. Every newspaper headline is a potential song.
• The fortunes of the entire world may well ride on the ability of young Americans to face the responsibilities of an old America gone mad.
• The final story, the final chapter of western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles.
• Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.
• Leaving America is like losing twenty pounds and finding a new girlfriend.
• It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win.
• In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.
• God isn't dead - he's just missing in action.
• Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's life.
• And if there's any hope for America, it lies in a revolution, and if there's any hope for a revolution in America, it lies in getting Elvis Presley to become Che Guevara.
• When they show the destruction of society on color TV, I want to be able to look out over Los Angeles and make sure they get it right.
• Does defending liberalism leave you friendless and perhaps wondering about your breath?