Bob Marley Quotes Serve As One Way Of Examining His Thoughts, Beliefs And General Outlook On Life.

Bob Marley: Word Smith and Messenger

"People want to listen to a message, word from Jah. This could be passed through me or anybody. I am not a leader... The word of the songs, not the person, is what attracts people."Bob Marley's Quote

Bob Marley quote most times come from stories related by an individual and speaks to his or her past or present experiences while at the same time reflecting their dreams and aspirations for the future.

Therefore Bob Marley quotes serve as one way of examining his thoughts, beliefs and general outlook on life.

Bob Marley’s Quotations can come from a variety of sources as communication can take place in through any medium once a message is transmitted and understood. Therefore Bob Marley’s music, interviews and writings for instance can serve as sources of quotations.

In the this case we are examining some of the most famous quotes of Bob Marley the man who “had so much things to say” during his lifetime and even posthumously, that his body of work compiled over a twenty year period, still speaks to us about life, love and eternal struggles.

Below are listed some of Bob Marley’s quotations and sayings.

I have listed 25 of the most powerful Bob Marley Quotes.

"The first thing you must know about me is that I always stand what I stand for. Good? The second thing you must know about yourself listening to me is that words are tricky. So when you know what me a stand for, when me explain a thing to you, you must never try to look 'pon it in a different way from what me a stand for."

1 "Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny."

This is Marley steadfastly adhering to the philosophy speaking to self determination of which one of the greatest Pan Africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey spoke about.

Marley realized that the doctrine of inferiority was one that served to limit the potential and outlook of People of African descent.

2 "Facts an' facts, an' t'ings an t'ings: dem's all a lotta fockin' bullshit. Hear me! Dere is no truth but de one truth, an' that is the truth of Jah Rastafari."

3 "I don't stand for the black man's side; I don’t stand for the white man's side. I stand for God's side."

In light of the fact that Marley was being marketed as a rock star to an international audience, it is not surprising that he would hold such a sentiment.

Songs like Zimbabwe and Africa Unite prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was very much aware of the status and struggle of people of African descent.

However it can be assumed that his Rastafarian faith with a doctrine of love combined with increased spirituality and the need to be marketable to a “one love” audience provided the necessary middle ground that Bob the artist needed.
4 "Don´t forget your history nor your destiny."

5 "In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty."

6 "The harder the battle the sweet of jah victory."

7 "Open your eyes & look within, are you satisfied with the life you living."

8 "In this great future you can’t forget your past."

9 "If you get down and quarrel everyday, you're saying prayers to the devil, I say."

10 "Just can't live that negative way...make way for the positive day!"

11 "Life and Jah are one in the same. Jah is the gift of existence. I am in some way eternal, I will never be duplicated. The singularity of every man and woman is Jah's gift. What we struggle to make of it is our sole gift to Jah. The process of what that struggle becomes, in time, the Truth."

12 "Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!"

13 "Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior is finally discredited and abandoned...WAR! So that is prophecy, and everyone knows that is truth. And it came out of the mouth of Rastafari."

This is one of Bob Marley quotes come from Ras Tafari or His Imperial Majesty; however Bob with his lyrical genius immortalized them by putting these sentiments, originally delivered by H.I.M as a speech, to music.

14 "The first thing you must know about me is that I always stand what I stand for. Good? The second thing you must know about yourself listening to me is that words are tricky. So when you know what me a stand for, when me explain a thing to you, you must never try to look 'pon it in a different way from what me a stand for."

15 "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds..."

16 "The good times of today, are the sad thoughts of tomorrow."

17 "You can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time."

18 "Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold..."

19 "When the race gets hard to run. It means you just can't take the pace."

20 "The more people smoke herb, the more Babylon fall." Bob Marley quote on herbs

21 "Rise O fallen fighters, rise and take your stance again, He who fight and run away, Live to fight another day"

22 "The power of philosophy floats through my head, Light like a feather, Heavy as Led"

23 "Rastafari not a culture, it's a reality."

24 "The only truth is Rastafari."

25 "My music will go on forever. Maybe it's a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever."

Bob Marley Quotes Still Relevant

The fact of the matter is that although Bob Marley has made his transition over 24 years ago, Bob Marley’s quotes still reflect in current life, economic and political situations. Bob Marley’s quotes are by no means archaic references but still speak with a great amount of relevance to the human condition and possible solutions for a future that hoped for but did not live to see.

"Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the life you are living? We know where we are going, we know where we are from." –Bob Marley’s quote from Exodus.

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