Top quotes by Lauryn Hill

Since those who believe they need a hero/celebrity outnumber the actual heroes/celebrities, people feel safe and comfortably justified in numbers, committing egregious crimes in the name of the greater social ego. Ironically diminishing their own true hero-celebrity nature in the process. Votes: 29

I had to confront my fears and master my every demonic thought about inferiority, insecurity, or the fear of being black, young, and gifted in this Western culture. Votes: 28

I do support artists standing by their beliefs and walking with integrity. We have to find a better way to commercially exploit music while giving artists their proper respect. This cannot be done while taking their contributions for granted or trying to control the scope of their growth and power through threats and fear tactics. Votes: 19

Hip-Hop isn't just music, it is also a spiritual movement of the blacks! You can't just call Hip-Hop a trend! Votes: 18

That strong mother doesn't tell her cub, Son, stay weak so the wolves can get you. She says, Toughen up, this is reality we are living in. Votes: 18

People need to understand that the Lauryn Hill they were exposed to in the beginning was all that was allowed in that arena at the time. I had to step away for the sake of the machine. I was being way too compromised. I felt uncomfortable having to smile in someone's face when I really didn't like them or know them well enough to like. Votes: 17

For the past several years, I have remained what others would consider underground. I did this in order to build a community of people, like-minded in their desire for freedom and the right to pursue their goals and lives without being manipulated and controlled by a media protected military industrial complex with a completely different agenda. Votes: 15

This life is a process of learning. Votes: 15

So while you're imitating Al Capone, I'll be Nina Simone, And defacating on your microphone Votes: 14

As musicians and artists, it's important we have an environment - and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society. Votes: 13

Be honest, brutally honest. That is what's going to maintain relationships. Votes: 13

The danger I faced was not accepted as reasonable grounds for deferring my tax payments, as authorities, who despite being told all of this, still chose to pursue action against me, as opposed to finding an alternative solution. Votes: 10

You don't know how much artists go through to make it look so easy. It's all in the practice. Votes: 10

I think what people are attracted to about me, if anything, is my passion. People got exposed to my passion through music and song first. Votes: 10

Being young and female in America, you watch a lot of T.V., and you grow up on false images of what love truly is. We think the man with the best rap will protect and save us, about it's not usually that way. Then you learn love is something deeper and purer in form. Votes: 9

We can't plan life. All we can do is be available for it. Votes: 9

Real religion is no religion at all. Votes: 8

Let optimists rule the world. Votes: 8

Think black love, think universal love. Just think love. Votes: 8

I tried to manipulate and control people, and I harbored resentment. I wanted to be forgiven, but I wouldn't forgive others. Votes: 7

I need to be surrounded by people as passionate and as dedicated as I am. Votes: 7

There are a lot of young black girls who I meet in my travels who don't have a lot of self-esteem. So if I communicate to them that they're beautiful, no white person should find fault in that. It doesn't mean that young white girls aren't beautiful, because they are just as beautiful. Votes: 7

I believe God will make a way. Votes: 6

We don't want people to have expectations of us, but then we have expectations of everybody else. Votes: 6

I'm trying to be a loving and caring mother, a loving and caring wife-to-be, a loving and caring daughter, a loving and caring friend, a responsible person. And every day is another opportunity for me to be successful at that. Votes: 6

I can do what you do, easy, BELIEVE ME Frontin' niggas give me hee-bee-gee-bees Votes: 6

When I was working, and when I was making substantial amounts of money, I always filed and paid my taxes. This only stopped, when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family. Votes: 5

I don't need anybody to market or promote me. If people don't want to hear this music, then it's not for them. You cannot please everybody. Votes: 5

In my travels all over the world, I have come to realize that what distinguishes one child from another is not ability, but access. Access to education, access to opportunity, access to love. Votes: 3

I got into direct confrontation with everybody I love. Votes: 3

I consider myself a crayon... I may not be your favorite color but one day you'll need me to complete your picture. Votes: 0

When I have a creative insight, there is a high. I think back in the day, I made music as much as I did because it made me feel so good. I think you could argue that there is a creative addiction - but, you know, the healthy kind. Votes: 0

As artists, we have an opportunity to help the public evolve, raise consciousness and awareness, teach, heal, enlighten and inspire in ways the democratic process may not be able to touch. So we keep it moving. Votes: 0

It's funny - more people talk about my 'babe-dom' now than they did before I had a child. Whatever. I guess I'm a role model in hot pants now. That's cool! Votes: 0

As long as I remember that the glory is His and not my own. When I confuse that, I get in trouble. We think that we glorify ourselves, and the object is to glorify God first, and in doing that you become glorified, you get glorified. Votes: 0

Heart, Desire, and Intensity and those have been the three words I kind of latched onto. Votes: 0

You might win some, but you just lost one. Votes: 0

Everything is everything What is meant to be, will be After winter, must come spring Change, it comes eventually Votes: 0

In my life the most influential people are people who are sort of brought to me, as opposed to people I seek out. Votes: 0

Everything we do should be a result of our gratitude for what God has done for us. Votes: 0

I went to Jamaica for six months, and in Jamaica there was a lot of stillness. Votes: 0

I'm in a very close-knit, very, very tight family. My grandmother had 13 kids, so we had a lot of family like 50, 60 grandchildren and we all lived in Jersey, relatively in the same area. So every time there was something, my entire family was there. And I just believed everybody's family was like that. Votes: 0

Miscommunication leads to complication. Votes: 0

Our podium is the music. It's really important that we stay focused, because things become misconstrued in the media. Votes: 0

I don't buy into that whole concept of success that I have this mountain with this moat around it and then I get into my big car and drive to my destination and never see people. That's not my concept of success. Votes: 0

I got moxie, I'm so damn cocky. Industry tried to block me like cops and paparazzi. Votes: 0

I can give away everything I posses, but am without love, and I have no happiness Votes: 0

Consequence is no coincidence. Votes: 0

If the entire week is a battlefield, reading the Bible is sort of like that parachute with the box of reserves that come in the middle of the war: food and water and the toothbrush and toilet paper. Votes: 0

Tell me who I've got to be, to get some reciprocity Votes: 0

See fantasy is what people want, but reality is what they need. And I just retired from the fantasy part. Votes: 0

I tried to manipulate and control people and I harbored resentment. I wanted to be forgiven but I wouldn't forgive others. Votes: 0

Nobody's going to force me to do something against my will. What do I owe anybody that I should submit my will to them? Votes: 0

I don't know anybody that's not emotionally unstable or schizophrenic. Votes: 0

From the first time someone says, Who do you think you are? we learn how to repress. Votes: 0

I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth. Who won't accept deception instead of what is truth. It seems we lose the game, before we even start to play. Who made these rules? We're so confused. Easily led astray. Votes: 0

Our first album was a stupid mistake by the record company. They tried to sell us as an alternative act. A big mistake! Votes: 0

To those supporters who were told that I abandoned them, that is untrue. I abandoned greed, corruption, and compromise, never you, and never the artistic gifts and abilities that sustained me. Votes: 0

If I should fall asleep and death takes me away, Don't be surprised son, I wasn't put here to stay. Votes: 0

I am no longer going to become a fictional character to please people. That's too much work. Votes: 0

I have a couple of all-time favorites: Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Votes: 0

I wouldn't even hold my kids sometimes because I didn't want them to spit up on me when I was dressed for an awards show. Votes: 0

Over-commercialization and its resulting restrictions and limitations can be very damaging and distorting to the inherent nature of the individual. I did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon any responsibilities. Votes: 0

With The Fugees initially, and even with 'Miseducation', it was very hip-hop - always a singing over beats. I don't think people have really heard me sing out. So if I do record again, perhaps it will have an expanded context. Where people can hear a bit more. Votes: 0

I'm trying to open up my range and really sing more. With The Fugees initially, and even with 'Miseducation,' it was very hip-hop - always a singing over beats. I don't think people have really heard me sing out. So if I do record again, perhaps it will have an expanded context. Where people can hear a bit more. Votes: 0

We call ourselves creators and we just copy. Votes: 0

Reality is easy. It's deception that's the hard work. Votes: 0

What was freely given to me, I freely give. Votes: 0

The less I have, the freer I am to do whatever I want to do. Votes: 0

A friend once said, and I found to be true,That everyday people, they lie to God too,So what makes you think, that they won't lie to you. Votes: 0

A lot of us are too busy focusing on what we think people want to hear, as opposed to just saying what's in our hearts. Votes: 0

And deep in my heart. The answer, it was in me. And I made up my mind. To define my own destiny Votes: 0

And what you need ironically. Will turn out what you want to be. If you just let it. Votes: 0

Anything that is not growing is dead. Votes: 0

As painful as this thing has been I just can't be with no one else. See I know what we've got to do. You let go, and I'll let go too. 'Cause no one's hurt me more than you And no one ever will. Votes: 0

Being young and female in America, you watch a lot of TV and you grow up on false images of what love truly is. Votes: 0

Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem! Votes: 0

Every day is a lesson in focus for me, and not buying into the world's concept of what you have to be. I really try every day to be individual and not just in my style or my look or my music, but in my approach to life. Votes: 0

Every time that God navigates my ship, there's nothing cerebral going on. There's very little thought. It's almost as if I have the directions. Every time I try to do it myself, I'm conjuring up my own concoction and trying. Votes: 0

Every time truth comes we hate it, because it's coming against our ego. Are you going to let the ego come between you and this person you love? Votes: 0

Everybody has a choice. I am not here to shove my light down everybody's throat. For those who don't want it, I have nothing to defend. Votes: 0

Everyday is another chance to get things right. Votes: 0

Everyone is in the same situation, at different levels and in different places. Votes: 0

Everything takes place in a season. There was a season when that's all I did was listen to the music. Now I'm just in a place where I don't listen, I create. And if I do listen there are specific things that I listen to, and for specific reasons. Votes: 0

For a while, the genre seemed to be just about sex and crime. Rappers are storytellers; the stories don't need to be true! Votes: 0

From the time that you are a child, you grow up repressing yourself. Votes: 0

God said, All right, I'm gonna show you. I made you what you are. God takes care of me. I'm just the one who delivers the message. Votes: 0

God surrounded me with the right team, with the team that I needed to help me exercise all of my ideas. You need that. You need that army, you need that force. Votes: 0

God teaches me about reality, so when he tells me to do something, I do, because I'm led to. Votes: 0

Hip-Hop started out in the heart Votes: 0

How you gon' win when you ain't right within. Uh uh come again Votes: 0

Hypocrites always wanna play innocent Votes: 0

I am just beginning to be more comfortable with my identity. Votes: 0

I am up there onstage alone with that guitar. I don't have to consider no one else and whether they are comfortable. I need very little. Votes: 0

I didn't have that intense ambition to be a musician or an actress. I just enjoyed it. And by enjoying it, because I loved it, it enabled me to get better at what I was doing, because there was a love behind it. Votes: 0

I don't feel like my money or my success defines me. I've always been very happy just bein' me. Votes: 0

I don't listen to a lot of music at all. I think that's very bizarre too, because it was such a comfort zone for me. But I don't know if I had my fill, but I don't listen to a lot of music, because I'm creating it. Votes: 0

I don't want to be religious, I want to be spiritual. Anybody can be religious. Some people jog religiously. You don't want to be that, you want to be spiritual. You want to have a relationship with God as opposed to doing what everyone else does. Votes: 0

I find, even though it's raining, I just go outside. I look outside and I'm just so blessed to see it and to experience it, because for such a long time I was just indoors. Votes: 0

I get out, I get out of all your boxes. Votes: 0

I get out, I get out of all your boxes. I get out, you can't hold me in these chains. I'll get out. Father free me from this bondage. Knowin' my condition is the reason I must change Votes: 0

I get really afraid of those little comforts, those things that make us feel like we did something great, because I've done nothing. I've done nothing. I mean that sincerely. Votes: 0

I had an economic system imposed on me. Votes: 0

I have a problem with procrastination. I have a great deal of difficulty deciding what to wear. It's a woman thing. Votes: 0

I have hour spurts when I feel fine and I can walk normal and stuff, other hours, I'm wobbling. I feel like there's somebody behind me kicking my legs out from underneath me. The whole tumor symptom thing is crazy. It's unpredictable. It really messes with your life. Votes: 0

I have inner peace. It's a different person. Votes: 0

I hope that by people seeing the result of freedom that they'll want some, too. Votes: 0

I keep letting you back in. How can I explain myself? As painful as this thing has been, I just can't be with no one else. Votes: 0

I knew his life deserved a chance/But everybody told me to be smart/Look at your career they said/Lauren, baby use your head/But instead I chose to use my heart. Votes: 0

I know there are certain gifts that each of us have. The gifts you don't have to worry about so much, because God gave them to us. It's the living, it's the life, it's the now. Votes: 0

I know you don't wanna hear my opinion, There come many paths and you must choose one. And if you don't change then the rain soon come. See, you might win some, but you just lost one. Votes: 0

I like a brother that cuts to the chase. Votes: 0

I love being able to reach people directly, but in an ideal scenario, I would not have to rush the release of new music… but the message is still there, Votes: 0

I never did anything I'm really ashamed of. Votes: 0

I play my enemies like a game of chess Votes: 0

I ran very fast in the wrong direction. Votes: 0

I rarely listen to the music for the sheer pleasure. I'm listening for the tool, I'm listening for the instrument, I'm listening for the art. Votes: 0

I sit here before you trying to figure out how to pay a tax debt? If that's not like enough to slavery, I don't know. Votes: 0

I started to see that my concept of spirituality was totally wrong. Votes: 0

I think everything happens in time. There's a time for everything. There's a time to be in a group, and there's a time to be solo. Votes: 0

I think the work ethic that was established in my family was something very important. If you plant the seed, if you sow sparingly and reap sparingly. If you sow in abundance you'll reap in abundance. Votes: 0

I try not to have a day pass where I don't read something from the Bible. It's like my sustenance to me. Votes: 0

I used to play my records aloud until one night my mother was like, "This is too loud. I'm not having it," and so I put on headphones. But the headphones didn't stretch all the way to my bed from the record player, so I had to sleep on the floor in order to hear the records. I slept on the floor right next to the record player until I was probably 19 years old. Votes: 0

I was hopeless, now I'm on Hope Road. Votes: 0

I was unhappy with my life. I had acquired everything I thought I wanted, only to find out, This is it? Votes: 0

I was very active. I was always all over the place trying to do a million things, just into this activity. If you asked me when I was 14 what I wanted to be: "Activist, first, is my occupation. I am an activist." Votes: 0

I was very confused. I didn't understand the difference between rebellion against God and rebellion against the system that's not God. Votes: 0

I wouldn't try to put myself in a box or put God in a box. Votes: 0

If everyone is a product of this society, who will say the things that need to be said, and do the things that need to be done, without compromise? Truth will never start out popular in a world more concerned with marketability than righteousness. It will initially suffer ridicule and even violence- yet ultimately it is undeniable. All of humanity is living in a dream world, but suffering real consequences. Votes: 0

If I never won a Grammy, I would be satisfied, if in fact I could help people. I don't say that because it sounds like something cool to say. Votes: 0

If I'd known white people were going to buy my last album, I never would have recorded it. Votes: 0

If you love something and if you're committed and diligent - the things happen! Votes: 0

I'm making music for other people to listen to for pleasure. And hopefully, later on maybe they'll listen to it and go, "That bass line, boy, did you hear the way those drums interacted with that?" Votes: 0

It could all be so simple, but you'd rather make it hard, loving you is like a battle, and we both end up with scars Votes: 0

It's emotional warfare telling the people we love, the most, the truth about ourselves. Votes: 0

It's funny how money change a situation. Votes: 0

It's more important to be righteous than to be right. Votes: 0

It's silly when girls sell their souls because it's in. Votes: 0

I've leaned on God for so long. "Hey, God, you just gave me this gift, and I'm just going to go out there and sing." But I'm realizing how much larger and how expansive my gift becomes when I actually pay attention to it and try to practice and try to perfect it. Votes: 0

Just because I have a guitar, it doesn't mean that changes me. I still rhyme, I still sing. Votes: 0

Let me be patient, let me be kind, make me unselfish, without being blind, though I may suffer, I'll envy it not and endure what comes cause he is all that I got Votes: 0

Let me be patient, let me be kind, make me unselfish, without being blind. Votes: 0

Let me break it down for you again, You know I only say it because I'm truly genuine: Don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem. Votes: 0

Let’s love ourselves, then we can’t fail, To make a better situation. Tomorrow, our seeds will grow, All we need is dedication! Votes: 0

Life is continued work. It's constant learning. The whole concept of retirement I don't even buy into. We should constantly be working. Maybe not physically working, but we could be spiritually, emotionally working toward bettering ourselves and bettering the lives of others around us. Votes: 0

Love and this close-knit family structure really helped to give me the confidence. To know that you have family to go back to is a help. It doesn't always happen biologically. Sometimes God gives you family in other forms, but I was very blessed. I have a very strong biological family. Votes: 0

Love is an incredible thing but we don't know love like we should. Unconditional love we don't know it because if a person stops stimulating us, we stop loving them. Votes: 0

Loving you is like a Song I replay every 3 Minutes and 30 Seconds of every Day... Votes: 0

My concept of successful living is escaping the matrix, as we've talked about. It has very little to do with what people think success is. I actually feel successful right now, even though I don't have an album out, or a video or a song on the radio, because I'm trying to be obedient to His will. Votes: 0

My concept of successful living is escaping the matrix... Votes: 0

My mother gave me a piece of bread, which was love and encouragement. The correction was the meat, the substance. And then she would sandwich that with another piece of bread, which was love and encouragement. That was very important in shaping and molding our morality, our understanding of ourselves, making sure that we didn't think we were better than or less than anyone, feeling no more worthy or no less worthy than anyone else. Votes: 0

My mother has all my awards, because if I walked downstairs every day and saw all my achievements it would be so easy to become complacent. Votes: 0

My parents had a love for music. There were so many records, so much music constantly being played. My mother played piano, my father sang, and we were always surrounded in music. Votes: 0

My whole life at a certain point was studio, hotel, stage, hotel, stage, studio, stage, hotel, studio, stage. I was expressing everything from my past, everything that I had experienced prior to that studio stage time, and it was like you have to go back to the well, in order to give someone something to drink. I felt like a cistern, dried up and like there was nothing more. And it was so beautiful. Votes: 0

Never be afraid of not knowing. Find out. Votes: 0

Never underestimate those who you scar. Votes: 0

Now don't you understand man universal law What you throw out comes back to you, star Never underestimate those who you scar Cause karma, karma, karma comes back to you hard Votes: 0

Now I may have faith/ to make mountains fall/ But if I lack love/ then I am nothin' at all Votes: 0

Now the skies could fall Not even if my boss should call The world it seems so very small 'Cause nothing even matters at all Votes: 0

Now you are meeting another Lauryn, so it's good to be reintroduced. Votes: 0

Once you compromise yourself in one way, you compromise yourself in another way. And you've just opened the door to compromise, mediocrity, settling. Votes: 0

Place your attention 6 inches above your crown. God is breathing in and out there. Votes: 0

See no one loves you more than me...and no one ever will Votes: 0

Sometimes we all need to take time and give thanks. Votes: 0

The honor to me has less to do with the award. To me that translates in the relationship that I have with the audience, and if my music is helpful to them, that's the award. Votes: 0

The only help I need to live, is unprofessional. The only wealth I have to give, is not material. And if you need much more than that, I'm not available. Votes: 0

The only way to know is to Live, Learn, and Grow Votes: 0

The sweetest thing I've ever known was like the kiss on the collarbone, the soft caress of happiness, the way you walk, your style of dress, I wish I didn't get so weak, oh baby just to hear you speak, makes me argue just to see how much your in love with me Votes: 0

The sweetest thing I've ever known was like the kiss on the collarbone. Votes: 0

The work is constant. There's a time for rest, but I don't believe in getting comfortable just because everyone says you've arrived. Votes: 0

To me that's a reflection of love, when someone can see you enjoying yourself, and want to participate, or want to encourage, or want to help you to do something that you enjoy. Votes: 0

Tomorrow is always another day to make things right. Votes: 0

Tomorrow, our seeds will grow. All we need is dedication. Votes: 0

We don't know love like we should. We always talk about 'I have unconditional love”unconditional love iswe don't even know it. Because if a person stops stimulating us, we stop loving them. You're not interesting to talk to anymore, goodbye. But that real love, that love that sometimes is difficult, difficult to have. That's that love. And that's a confidence builder. Votes: 0

We have these images, these icons before us that are not reality. Votes: 0

We have to make sure the music and the message and the words and all the elements come through in our songs and every time we appear in public. Votes: 0

We should always be aspiring to know more, and to better ourselves, and to improve ourselves. To improve ourselves, because that's how we improve the world around us, by working within us. Votes: 0

We should constantly be aspiring to reach higher and higher and higher. We should never be comfortable where we are. Votes: 0

We were all crazy about music and almost all the money we had, we spent for equipment. Votes: 0

We've got to protect the music and make sure it never gets exploited. Votes: 0

When I create music, the feeling that you get... I get first. You [the listener] have a delayed experience with the feeling I initially get when I have a creative insight. Not just the voice, but all the creativity - the production, the idea, the concept, the music involved. There is a high. There is an emotional experience that happens when everything comes together... I made music as consistently as I did, especially back in the day, because it made me feel so good... When everything is on, it's a wonderful feeling. Votes: 0

When you're young and everything dramatic is exciting, you start to believe that hype that, in order to be an artist, you have to suffer. I've graduated from that school. Votes: 0

Whenever we submit our will to someone else’s opinion, a part of us dies Votes: 0

Whether Jew or Gentile, I rank top percentile. Votes: 0

Who you going to tell when the repercussions spin, showing off your ass because you think it's a trend. Votes: 0

Wisdom is better than silver and gold Votes: 0

With the things that I love, I tried to put a couple seeds, a bunch of seeds in the ground and see what sprung up. Sometimes it was acting and sometimes it was music. But whatever it was I continued to plant. Votes: 0

You could get the money, you can get the power, but keep your eyes on the final hour. Votes: 0

You improve yourself and light up the corner that you live on. You may not touch a gazillion lives, but you can light up your own space, light up your home. Votes: 0

You say, Wait a minute, God, you spared me from a slave job in an office, and now I have a slave job onstage. I am not on that clock no more. Votes: 0

In my family, there was not an abundance of wealth, but there was an abundance of love. So there was always humor, and there was joy and there was comfort and there was this environment just to have a good time. Votes: 0

We think the man with the best rap will protect and save us, but it's not usually that way. Love is something deeper and purer. Votes: 0