Russell Simmons Quotes

I feel so lucky and so privileged that I like writing for myself. Like, I don't have to wait for somebody to create a part for me or a project for me. I can just do it. And that's so great.

I didn't come to Hollywood to be subservient to anyone else's vision.

I was intelligent enough to make up my own mind. I not only had freedom of choice, I had freedom of expression.

I am a good, strong word giver; I am a jealous guard of my own secrets. Freedom is the rule; I am hungry for one good thing I can do.

I think it is important to let your kids have independence and ownership. Let your kids do what they have a passion for.

If I feel like doing something, I do it. If I feel like saying something, I say it. If I feel like dancing, I do. If I don't, I don't.

Very few artists are as independent as I am mentally, physically, spiritually and technically. I sit in my home studio and record things by myself. I don't need to get anybody's approval or validation.

Everything comes out of what works for me.

You just have to do your own thing, no matter what anyone says. It's your life.

I realize that I am typically vulnerable only when and where and how much it suits me. I can choose my writer words and even go back and edit.

I think that's important for all ages, to not be afraid of being an individual. I grew up on my own, as an only child, so early on I think I was quite capable of making decisions by myself and being an individual.

Freedom is just another word: It seems to get truer the older I get.

All I'm gonna do is just go on and do what I feel.

I have a hard enough time speaking for myself - I don't pretend I can be a spokesman for anybody. I have no interest in playing that role.

Create around one at least a small circle where matters are arranged as one wants them to be.

One of mom's greatest acts of generosity was that she trained me to be defiant. Her great gift to me was encouraging me to be the person that I wanted to be, not the one that she and my father wished I was.

It's important for me to be free and know I'm acting for myself. I do things because I want to, and that's important. You want to be your own person.

My father raised me to think independently and follow my own path in life.

I'm not driven by being understood.

Life is about making your own happiness - and living by your own rules.

I have great friends around me that are positive and I think that's the key to life is making your own path. Set your own rules because there is no set rule, there is no set look, there is no set anything. You make your own rules in your life. You make your own decisions.

I'm the type of person that doesn't like to wait for people to do things for me, and I never want to feel stuck. Why sit around and be like, 'I wish my label would book me some studio time,' if I can just buy my own studio equipment and figure out how to run Pro Tools and record it myself?

Hero shows you how to solve the problem - yourself.

I don't live in France; I live in myself.

I would say to someone, 'Make your own stuff sooner.' Also, it's OK to say no to something if it doesn't feel right.