Phil Ochs Quotes

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

In every political community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times. Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally. Here, then, is a lesson in safe logic.

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.

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

Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt.

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.

You can do right or you can do what you are told. And the prize of the victory will belong to the bold.

It's always the old to lead us to the war. It's always the young to fall.

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.

Love is a rainbow curving down from the sky, falling crystals of color, shades of warm that never die.

So good to be alive when the eulogies are read.

In the courtroom, watch the balance of the scalesIf the price is right, there's time for more appealsThe strings are pulled, the switch is stayedThe finest lawyers fees are paidAnd a rich man never died upon the chair

America is two Mack trucks colliding on a superhighway because all the drivers are on amphetamines.

Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.

A protest song is a song that's so specific that you cannot mistake it for bullshit.

Evil is done in hopes that evil surrenders, but the deeds of the devil are burned too deep in the embers, and world of hunger in vengeance will always remember.

Beneath the greatest love lies a hurricane of hate.

The truest protest is beauty.

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

Leaving America is like losing twenty pounds and finding a new girlfriend.

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.

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

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

Show me the prison, Show me the jail, Show me the prisoner whose life has gone stale. And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why And there, but for fortune, go you or I.