Quotes from Phil Ochs

The final story, the final chapter of western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles.

It's always the old to lead us to the wars,Always the young to fall.

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.

I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybodyOutside of a small circle of friends.

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.

It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win. 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.

In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.

One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies.

Call it peace or call it treason, call it love or call it reason, but I ain't marching anymore.

But our land is still troubled by men who have to hate. They twist away our freedom, and they twist away our fate. Fear is their weapon, and treason is their cry. We can stop them if we try.

God isn't dead--he's just missing in action.

success is an enemy to the losers of the day

You can do what's right, or you can do what you are told.

The only way to Cuba is with the CIA.

Are you going away with no word of farewell? Will there be not a trace left behind? Well I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind. You know that was the last thing on my mind.

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.

It's always the old to lead us to the war It's always the young to fall Now look at all we've won with the saber and the gun Tell me is it worth it all For I stole California from the Mexican land Fought in the bloody Civil War Yes I even killed my brothers And so many others But I ain't marchin' anymore

Trust your leaders where mistakes are almost never made And they're afraid that I'm afraid

Comfort his family with a telegram, we regret to inform you we lost a man, but we gave him the highest medal of the land.

Mother Goose is on the loose, stealing lines from Lenny Bruce.

One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies.

Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why. But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high.

It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win.

The only way to Cuba is with the CIA.