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Bob Marley Quotes (1945-1981)
Writer, Singer, Activist
About Bob Marley
Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981), more famously known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer, guitarist, songwriter, and social activist. His vision of "One World, One Love," is a dream that inspired many.
Best Bob Marley Quotes
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Explore our curated collection of the most famous and impactful Bob Marley quotes.
“Never make a politician grant you a favour
They will always want to control you forever.”
They will always want to control you forever.”
“We don't have education, we have inspiration; if I was educated I would be a damn fool.”
“Possession make you rich? I don't have that type of richness. My richness is Life, forever.”
“Alcohol make you drunk, man. It don't make you meditate, it just make you drunk. Herb is more a consciousness.”
“Won't you help to sing,
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had,
Redemption songs.”
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had,
Redemption songs.”
“Today, people struggle to find what's real. Everything has become so synthetic that a lot of people, all they want is to grasp onto hope.”
“Some people say great God come from the sky take away everything and make everybody feel high, but if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth.”
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery,
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.”
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.”
“Life is one big road with lots of signs,
So when you riding through the ruts,
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy
Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality”
So when you riding through the ruts,
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy
Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality”
“All dese governments and dis this and that, these people that say they're here to help, why them say you cannot smoke the herb? Herb... herb is a plant, you know? And when me check it, me can't find no reason. All them say is, 'it make you rebel'. Against what?”
Bob Marley Quotes by Topic
Find exactly what you are looking for by browsing this categorized list of Bob Marley quotes by topic.
Bob Marley on Fighting 2 quotes
View all 2 quotes on Fighting →Bob Marley on Sheriff
Bob Marley on Soul
Bob Marley on Nuclear power
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds. Have no fear for atomic energy, cause none of them can stop the time.”
What Bob Marley Said About Others
Discover personal opinions Bob Marley shared regarding contemporaries.
Bob Marley on Haile Selassie
“We know God is Haile Selassie, Him Mighty God. Now Him save the poor earth right now, and Him save the people. If it weren't for Haile Selassie, would anyone know Rastafari? No one would know Rastafari. So Haile Selassie save the eart', and true dat dem overthrow 'im. In a sense, all a de people around him was really weird. But just how it go — few people overthrow 'im, but 'im save the whole of the people 'pon the face of the earth.”
Quotes About Bob Marley
Gain deeper perspective through quotes about Bob Marley from others.
Bono on Bob Marley
“I carried Bob Marley’s Redemption Song to every meeting I had with a politician, prime minister, or president. It was for me a prophetic utterance or as Bob would say "the small ax that could fell the big tree". The song reminded me that freedom always comes with a cost, but for those who would prepare to pay it, maybe "emancipation from mental slavery" would be our reward.”
Boutros Boutros-Ghali on Bob Marley
“I am Boutros Boutros-Ghali; put down your gun and listen to Bob Marley.”
Fred D'Aguiar on Bob Marley
“I saw Marley a few months before he died in a concert at the Crystal Palace Bowl in South London. He was magisterial on that stage. His dreadlocks were shaken at the London Stock Exchange and at the Houses of Parliament. He stomped on the spot as if to put out the fire of despotism. He crooned some unforgettable lovers' lyrics as if to confirm that even the warrior has to love. His songs are anthems for me. They celebrate Africa, berate politicians, lament slavery, invigorate the spirit. Looking over the century as it closes, I see Marley up there with the best six popular songwriters - Gershwin, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Billie Holiday, the Beatles... I know we all have our own lists.”
Barack Obama on Bob Marley
“You just mentioned Bob Marley — I can remember when I was in college, listening — and not agreeing with his whole philosophy necessarily, but raising my awareness of how people outside of our country were thinking about the struggles for jobs and dignity, and freedom.”
Mark Protosevich on Bob Marley
“He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate... literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people's lives. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why — He said, "The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness."”
Disputed Quotes
Quotes attributed to Bob Marley that are questionable.
“Ev'rything's gonna be alright
So, no woman, no cry.”
So, no woman, no cry.”
Misattributed Quotes
Quotes mistakenly credited to Bob Marley
About Bob Marley
Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981), more famously known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer, guitarist, songwriter, and social activist. His vision of "One World, One Love," is a dream that inspired many.