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The way you get to know yourself is by the expressions on other people's faces, because that's the only thing that you can see, unless you carry a mirror about.
Gil Scott-Heron
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Gil Scott-Heron
Age: 62 †
Born: 1949
Born: April 1
Died: 2011
Died: May 27
Composer
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Chicago
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Glibert Scott-Heron
Gil Scott Heron
Gilbert Scott-Heron
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Expressions
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More quotes by Gil Scott-Heron
If you aren't having no fun, die, because you're running a worthless program, far as I'm concerned.
Gil Scott-Heron
A good poet feels what his community feels. Like if you stub your toe, the rest of your body hurts.
Gil Scott-Heron
I would say if you are familiar with our history and the history of our art and literature that you see a clear cut pattern of people wanting to contribute, not only artistically, but in some practical purpose, for the benefits of the community.
Gil Scott-Heron
Every show that sells out is like a hero's welcome for me.
Gil Scott-Heron
Paul Robeson once said that the artist has the responsibility to either help liberate the community or further oppress it. And I think that when Eldridge Cleaver wrote it down it was interpreted as his, but there's a history of people saying things of that nature and meaning it. And what I do is in that tradition, in that mode.
Gil Scott-Heron
The first revolution is when you change your mind
Gil Scott-Heron
Every once in a while, you live long enough to get the respect that people didn't want to give while you were trying to become a senior citizen.
Gil Scott-Heron
A lot of folks are so busy trying to get their groceries together that they don't have time to do research. I have time. Maybe that's the main difference.
Gil Scott-Heron
If we meet somebody who has never made a mistake, lets help them start a religion. Until then, were just going to meet other humans and help to make each other better.
Gil Scott-Heron
If someone comes to you and asks for help, and you can help them, you're supposed to help them. Why wouldn't you? You have been put in the position somehow to be able to help this person.
Gil Scott-Heron
Our accomplishments show what kind of people we are.
Gil Scott-Heron
America .. the international Jekyll and Hyde ... the land of a thousand disguises, sneaks up on you but rarely surprises
Gil Scott-Heron
I work hard at it [delivery of lyrics], just like I worked hard at getting my masters degree. It's not just something I sit down and do. You have to learn and keep learning.
Gil Scott-Heron
I find it not just strange but almost ridiculous that people could take a song like the one I was doing and interpret it is corroding anything. Folks have the feeling that oftentimes if you don't talk about something it will go away.
Gil Scott-Heron
I don't mind being criticized. I enjoy being criticized personally, not by rumor.
Gil Scott-Heron
Everything that's bad for you catches on too quickly in America, because that's the easiest thing to get people to invest in, the pursuits that are easy and destructive, the ones that bring out the least positive aspects of people.
Gil Scott-Heron
I am a black man dedicated to expression expression of the joy and pride of blackness. I consider myself neither poet, composer, or musician. These are merely tools used by sensitive men to carve out a piece of beauty or truth that they hope may lead to peace and salvation.
Gil Scott-Heron
You will not be able to stay home, brother./You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out./You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip,/Skip out for beer during commercials,/Because the revolution will not be televised.
Gil Scott-Heron
Oftentimes, the way it seems to be is that our artists in particular point themselves out as spokesmen for a certain constituency in a community, and thereby place themselves in that vulnerable position.
Gil Scott-Heron
All the dreams you show up in are not your own.
Gil Scott-Heron