Leonard Cohen Quotes

Powerful Leonard Cohen for Daily Growth

About Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen (September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist, renowned for his profound lyricism, dark humor, and haunting melodies that resonated deeply with generations of fans. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Cohen's early life was marked by spiritual exploration, intellectual pursuits, and a deep connection to Judaism. He studied at McGill University before moving to the United States to continue his studies at Columbia University. Cohen's literary career began in the 1950s with the publication of his poetry in prestigious magazines such as The New Yorker and Poetry magazine. His first book, "Let Us Compare Mythologies," was published in 1956. In the following decade, he released three novels: "The Favorite Game" (1963), "Beautiful Losers" (1966), and "Book of Mercy" (1984). However, Cohen is best known for his work in music, which gained prominence in the 1960s. His debut album, "Songs of Leonard Cohen," was released in 1967, featuring timeless songs like "Suzanne" and "So Long, Marianne." Over the years, Cohen continued to release critically acclaimed albums that touched on themes of love, religion, politics, and the human condition. His final album, "You Want It Darker," was released just days before his death in 2016. Throughout his career, Cohen's work was deeply influenced by his Jewish faith, Buddhist practice, and the Beat Generation. His poetry and music continue to captivate audiences worldwide, earning him numerous accolades, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Cohen's legacy lives on as an enduring symbol of artistic excellence, emotional depth, and spiritual wisdom.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."

This quote by Leonard Cohen suggests that imperfections and vulnerabilities are essential aspects of life, allowing us to embrace and experience its beauty. Just as there's a crack in something, letting light pass through, challenges and flaws allow growth, understanding, and love to enter our lives. Embracing these cracks makes us stronger and wiser, helping us find the light within ourselves and others.

"Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

This quote by Leonard Cohen encourages us to find beauty in imperfection and vulnerability. The first line suggests that one should not shy away from sharing their authentic self, even if it's far from perfect. The second line alludes to this idea of letting go of the need for perfection, implying that our flaws do not diminish our worth or capacity to make a difference. The third and fourth lines emphasize that imperfection, symbolized by a crack, is necessary for growth and transformation. This "crack" allows light - understanding, wisdom, love, or enlightenment - to enter and heal us. Therefore, the quote implores us to embrace our own cracks as opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, recognizing that it's through these cracks that we truly shine and allow our inner light to illuminate ourselves and those around us.

"You are my prophet, my seer, my living mystery revealer."

This quote by Leonard Cohen conveys a deep sense of reverence and admiration for someone who possesses wisdom and insights beyond ordinary understanding. The speaker regards this individual as a spiritual guide, a prophet who can unveil the mysteries of life, providing them with profound truths and enlightenment. In essence, the quote expresses the speaker's belief that this person serves as a means to reveal the unknown aspects of existence and to facilitate their understanding and growth.

"I've been here before, I know this room, I've walked this floor. I used to live alone before I knew you."

The quote suggests a feeling of familiarity or revisiting old memories, implying the speaker has experienced solitude before meeting someone who has since become significant in their life. It implies a deep sense of connection with the past but also a longing for that past to blend with the present, as they used to live alone before knowing the person referred to here. The quote carries an underlying sentiment of nostalgia and appreciation for the transformative power of relationships.

"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded, Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed."

This quote implies a recognition of inherent unfairness or bias in life, suggesting that success or favorable outcomes may not be purely based on merit or skill, but rather on luck or circumstances beyond one's control. It also suggests hope or optimism as people continue to strive for their goals despite the perceived odds being stacked against them. The actions of crossing one's fingers, a superstitious gesture to ward off bad luck, further emphasizes this idea.

Children show scars like medals. Lovers use them as secrets to reveal. A scar is what happens when the word is made flesh.

- Leonard Cohen

Reveal, Like, Medals, Scars

Any startling piece of work has a subversive element in it, a delicious element often. Subversion is only disagreeable when it manifests in political or social activity.

- Leonard Cohen

Activity, Social, Subversive, Disagreeable

The basic function of popular music is to create an environment for courting, lovemaking, and doing the dishes. It's useful because it addresses the heart in the midst of all these activities, and it will always be useful in this very important way.

- Leonard Cohen

Doing, Very, Lovemaking, Dishes

When things get really bad, just raise your glass and stamp your feet and do a little jig. That's about all you can do.

- Leonard Cohen

Feet, Bad, Glass, Raise

I've got beautiful reviews for all my books, and I'm very well thought of in the tiny circles that know me, but I'm really starving.

- Leonard Cohen

Thought, Very, Starving, Reviews

To every people the land is given on condition. Perceived or not, there is a Covenant, beyond the constitution, beyond sovereign guarantee, beyond the nation's sweetest dreams of itself.

- Leonard Cohen

Constitution, Nation, Given, Covenant

One of the reasons I'm on tour is to meet people. I consider it a reconnaissance. You know, I consider myself like in a military operation. I don't feel like a citizen.

- Leonard Cohen

Citizen, Like, Reasons, Operation

As I approach the end of my life, I have even less and less interest in examining what have got to be very superficial evaluations or opinions about the significance of one's life or one's work. I was never given to it when I was healthy, and I am less given to it now.

- Leonard Cohen

My Life, Very, About, Significance

This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can... reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that's what I mean by 'Hallelujah.'

- Leonard Cohen

Embrace, Mess, Whole, Reconciled

We're in a world where there's famine and hunger and people are dodging bullets and having their nails pulled out in dungeons so it's very hard for me to place any high value on the work that I do to write a song. Yeah, I work hard but compared to what?

- Leonard Cohen

Dungeons, Very, Yeah, Famine

I have a deep tribal sense. I grew up in a synagogue that my ancestors built. I sat in the third row. My family was decent. They were good people; they were handshake people. So I never had a sense of rebellion.

- Leonard Cohen

Deep, Rebellion, Handshake, Synagogue

My reputation as a ladies' man was a joke. It caused me to laugh bitterly through the 10,000 nights I spent alone.

- Leonard Cohen

Through, Caused, Spent, Joke

I read with some amusement my reputation as a ladies' man. My friends are amused by that, too, because they know my life.

- Leonard Cohen

My Life, Some, Read, Ladies

Torah values are the ones that inform my life.

- Leonard Cohen

Values, My Life, Inform, Torah

Prayer is translation. A man translates himself into a child asking for all there is in a language he has barely mastered.

- Leonard Cohen

Language, Asking, Mastered, Translation

Most of the time one is discouraged by the work, but now and again by some grace something stands out and invites you to work on it, to elaborate it or animate it in some way. It's a mysterious process.

- Leonard Cohen

Process, Some, Elaborate, Discouraged

I've always been into self-dramatization. I intend to live forever.

- Leonard Cohen

Forever, Always, Been, Intend

I had the title poet, and maybe I was one for a while. Also, the title singer was kindly accorded me, even though I could barely carry a tune.

- Leonard Cohen

Singer, Accorded, Though, Kindly

I always thought that poetry is the verdict that others give to a certain kind of writing. So to call yourself a poet is a kind of dangerous description. It's for others; it's for others to use.

- Leonard Cohen

Thought, Give, Always, Verdict

I think the term poet is a very exalted term and should be applied to a man at the end of his work. When he looks back over the body of his work and he's written poetry then let the verdict be that he's a poet.

- Leonard Cohen

Think, Over, Very, Verdict

There are writers who are great visionaries, who can depict huge movements - things like that. They're the great writers. I'm just the other kind.

- Leonard Cohen

Other, Like, Depict, Visionaries

I never really liked poetry readings; I liked to read poetry by myself, but I liked singing, chanting my lyrics to this jazz group.

- Leonard Cohen

Singing, Jazz, Read, Chanting

My mind was always very cluttered, so I took great pains to simplify my environment, because if my environment were half as cluttered as my mind, I wouldn't be able to make it from room to room.

- Leonard Cohen

Mind, Always, Very, Cluttered

Let judges secretly despair of justice: their verdicts will be more acute. Let generals secretly despair of triumph; killing will be defamed. Let priests secretly despair of faith: their compassion will be true.

- Leonard Cohen

Triumph, Generals, Acute, Priests

In dreams the truth is learned that all good works are done in the absence of a caress.

- Leonard Cohen

Truth, Works, Learned, Good Works

I always considered myself a minor writer. My province is small, and I try to explore it very, very thoroughly.

- Leonard Cohen

Small, Always, Very, Province

I don't think you can write novels on the road. You need a certain stability.

- Leonard Cohen

Road, Think, Need, Novels

All of my writing has guitars behind it, even the novels.

- Leonard Cohen

Writing, Behind, Even, Novels

As we make our way toward the finish line that some of us have already crossed, I never thought I'd get a Grammy Award. In fact, I was always touched by the modesty of their interest.

- Leonard Cohen

Fact, Some, Touched, Crossed

I can work on a verse for a very long time before realising it's not any good and then, and only then, can I discard it.

- Leonard Cohen

Before, Very, Discard, Verse

At a certain point, if you still have your marbles and are not faced with serious financial challenges, you have a chance to put your house in order. It's a cliche, but it's underestimated as an analgesic on all levels. Putting your house in order, if you can do it, is one of the most comforting activities, and the benefits of it are incalculable.

- Leonard Cohen

Comforting, Benefits, Faced

I had girlfriends who really irritated me by their devotion to the Beatles. I didn't begrudge them their interest, and there were songs like 'Hey Jude' that I could appreciate. But they didn't seem to be essential to the kind of nourishment that I craved.

- Leonard Cohen

Appreciate, Seem, Had, Hey

We used to play music for fun. Much more than now. Now nobody picks up a guitar unless they're paid for it.

- Leonard Cohen

Play, More, Picks, Play Music

I am an old scholar, better-looking now than when I was young. That's what sitting on your ass does to your face.

- Leonard Cohen

Young, Old, Your, Sitting

I think that Bob Dylan knows this more than all of us: you don't write the songs anyhow. So if you're lucky, you can keep the vehicle healthy and responsive over the years. If you're lucky, your own intentions have very little to do with this.

- Leonard Cohen

Lucky, I Think, Very, None

I can make a couple of good sandwiches: tuna salad and chopped egg salad. And Greek bean soup. I was a cook for my old Zen master for many years. So there were two or three dishes that he liked, you know. Teriyaki salmon, a few things.

- Leonard Cohen

Soup, Tuna, Couple, Chopped

The older I get, the surer I am that I'm not running the show.

- Leonard Cohen

I Am, Running, Get, Surer

Well, for one thing, in the tradition of Zen that I've practiced, there is no prayerful worship and there is no affirmation of a deity.

- Leonard Cohen

Well, Zen, One Thing, Worship

There's always a group of songs that I'm working at. Some of them are 10 years old, and some of them are just a few weeks old. I'm always trying to adjust these songs to some position where I can bring them to completion.

- Leonard Cohen

Completion, Some, Always, Group

I speak of a clinical depression that is the background of your entire life, a background of anguish and anxiety, a sense that nothing goes well, that pleasure is unavailable and all your strategies collapse.

- Leonard Cohen

Pleasure, Goes, Strategies, Anguish

A woman watches her body uneasily, as though it were an unreliable ally in the battle for love.

- Leonard Cohen

Love, Battle, Watches, Unreliable

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

- Leonard Cohen

Light, Everything, How, Crack

I like life on the road. It's a lot easier than civilian life. You kind of feel like you're in a motorcycle gang.

- Leonard Cohen

Kind, Gang, Like, Civilian

I was 15 when I first became deeply touched by the rhythm and structure of words.

- Leonard Cohen

Words, Touched, Became, Structure

We're always experiencing joy or sadness. But there are lots of people who've closed down. And there are times in one's life when one has to close down just to regroup.

- Leonard Cohen

Sadness, Always, Regroup, Experiencing

I don't really understand that process called reincarnation but if there is such a thing I'd like to come back as my daughter's dog.

- Leonard Cohen

Process, Understand, Like, Such A Thing

There are some people who come to me for some illumination on their problems. I guess they feel I'm writing about some of the things they themselves are going through. But I don't usually have much help to give - there isn't much you can say to someone in the midst of their own crises.

- Leonard Cohen

Own, Through, Some, Problems

The term clinical depression finds its way into too many conversations these days. One has a sense that a catastrophe has occurred in the psychic landscape.

- Leonard Cohen

Sense, Occurred, Many, Psychic

Out of the thousands who are known or who want to be known as poets, maybe one or two are genuine and the rest are fakes, hanging around the sacred precincts, trying to look like the real thing.

- Leonard Cohen

Rest, Like, Maybe, Real Thing

Songs seem to take me a long time. I don't know why; they're not especially excellent for taking so long.

- Leonard Cohen

Long, Why, Excellent, Taking

As a young man, Yeats spoke to me in a way I could understand. Shakespeare I couldn't understand, but Yeats I could. It was his subject matter and also I really admired the way he put his personal life on the line.

- Leonard Cohen

Young, Spoke, Subject, Shakespeare

I don't consider myself a pessimist. I think of a pessimist as someone who is waiting for it to rain. And I feel soaked to the skin.

- Leonard Cohen

Rain, Think, I Think, Pessimist

You can keep the body as well-oiled and receptive as possible, but whether you're actually going to be able to go for the long haul is really not your own choice.

- Leonard Cohen

Own, Going, Haul, Receptive

I've never sold widely enough to be able to relax about money. I had two kids and their mother to support and my own life. So there was never an option of cutting out.

- Leonard Cohen

Relax, My Own, Sold, Option

I don't have any sense or urgency about any of my writing, actually. I don't think mankind will be damaged if I don't put out a new album or a new book.

- Leonard Cohen

Think, New, Mankind, Urgency

Journalists, especially English journalists, were very cruel to me. They said I only knew three chords when I knew five!

- Leonard Cohen

Cruel, Knew, Very, Five

Women stand for the objective world for a man. They stand for the thing that you're not and that's what you always reach for in a song.

- Leonard Cohen

Song, World, Always, Objective

Some people care about their work lasting forever - I have little interest in it.

- Leonard Cohen

Work, Interest, Some, Some People

When you stop thinking about yourself all the time, a certain sense of repose overtakes you.

- Leonard Cohen

Yourself, Stop, About, Repose

I didn't want to write for pay. I wanted to be paid for what I write.

- Leonard Cohen

Want, Wanted, I Write, Paid

I never had huge amounts of money when I was young. I had huge amounts of fame, and I always had the sense of labor and recompense. I always said I don't want to work for pay, but I want to get paid for my song.

- Leonard Cohen

Song, Young, Always, Paid

This is the most challenging activity that humans get into, which is love. You know, where we have the sense that we can't live without love. That life has very little meaning without love.

- Leonard Cohen

Love, Very, Which, Humans

If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often.

- Leonard Cohen

More, Songs, Knew, Came

And I had not much of a voice. I didn't play that great guitar either.

- Leonard Cohen

Voice, Play, Either, Guitar

The last refuge of the insomniac is a sense of superiority to the sleeping world.

- Leonard Cohen

World, Superiority, Last, Sleeping

I always felt I was scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to get a song together.

- Leonard Cohen

Song, Always, Scraping, Barrel

Success is survival.

- Leonard Cohen

Success, Success Is, Survival

The fact that my songs take a long time to write is no guarantee of their excellence.

- Leonard Cohen

Fact, Long Time, Take, Write

My sense of proprietorship has been so weak that actually I didn't pay attention and I lost the copyrights on a lot of the songs.

- Leonard Cohen

Pay Attention, Pay, Been, Attention

I never had the sense that there was an end: that there was a retirement or that there was a jackpot.

- Leonard Cohen

Never, Sense, Had, Retirement

I continually blacken pages and scribble away, so I always have a number of songs that are half-finished.

- Leonard Cohen

Number, Always, Pages, Songs

There were times that I thought I was good looking.

- Leonard Cohen

Thought, Times, Were, Looking

My two great heroes are W. B. Yeats and Federico García Lorca.

- Leonard Cohen

Great, Heroes, Two, Yeats

Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.

- Leonard Cohen

Poetry, Well, Evidence, Burning

I was born in a suit.

- Leonard Cohen

Born, Suit, I Was Born

Music is the emotional life of most people.

- Leonard Cohen

Music, Emotional, Most, Emotional Life

Act the way you'd like to be and soon you'll be the way you act.

- Leonard Cohen

Way, Act, Like, Soon

I had a very messianic childhood.

- Leonard Cohen

Very, Had, Childhood

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