Bob Marley is a cultural icon, and his influence has been felt positively for decades. Most people have a favorite Marley tune from the heavy-hitting Buffalo Soldier, to the uplifting and optimistic message of “Three Little Birds.”
In this post, we’ve compiled some of that iconic Bob Marley wisdom and distilled it so that you can take a dip and enjoy some of the far-reaching wisdom produced by one of the greatest musical minds of the 60s and 70s.
Why Bob Marley Quotes Help You Feel Good
Bob Marley expressed a great deal through his music and lyrics, much of what he sang about reflected the social and political issues of his day but is relevant to today’s world.
Suppose you’re a younger reader or don’t know who Bob Marley is.
In that case, I highly recommend listening to a couple of his songs on Spotify or YouTube as you read these quotes to get an idea of what he was all about – it’s rare to find an individual that doesn’t enjoy or resonate with at least one of his songs.
His songs have simple lyrics that often hide the depth of their meaning, celebrate the natural world, and invite people to take challenges head-on and live authentic lives.
Bob Marley was renowned for championing causes that affected everyone (not just a particular group) and believed it was our duty as human beings to uplift each other.
Without a doubt, Bob Marley’s call for unity and love in the face of division and hatred is something all humans at all times will need to take to heart.
55 Bob Marley Quotes About Peace, Love, and Life
- “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”
- “One love, one heart, let's get together and feel all right.”
- “The good times of today are the sad thoughts of tomorrow.”
- “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”
- “Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
- “If you're white and you're wrong, then you're wrong; if you're black and you're wrong, you're wrong. People are people. Black, blue, pink, green – God make no rules about color; only society make rules where my people suffer, and that why we must have redemption and redemption now.”
If you're white and you're wrong, then you're wrong; if you're black and you're wrong, you're wrong. People are people. Black, blue, pink, green – God make no rules about color; only society make rules where my people suffer, and that why we must have redemption and redemption now.”
- “Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”
- “Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?”
- “The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”
- “The biggest coward is a man who awakens a woman’s love with no intention of loving her.”
- “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”
- “Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”
- “Love would never leave us alone.”
- “In this bright future, you can't forget your past.”
- “Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight.”
- “The day you stop racing is the day you win the race.”
- “Live for yourself and you will live in vain; live for others, and you will live again.”
- “Prejudice is a chain, it can hold you. If you prejudice, you can't move, you keep prejudice for years. Never get nowhere with that.”
Prejudice is a chain, it can hold you. If you prejudice, you can't move, you keep prejudice for years. Never get nowhere with that.”
- “The more people smoke herb, the more Babylon fall.”
- “You have to be someone.”
- “The day you stop racing is the day you win the race.”
- “Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold.”
- “Judge not, before you judge yourself. Judge not, if you're not ready for judgment.”
- “None but ourselves can free our minds.”
- “Overcome the devils with a thing called love.”
- “Money can't buy life.”
- “Live the life you love. Love the life you live.”
- “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time.”
- “Love, love, love—that is the soul of genius.”
- “Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny.”
- “You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect—you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can.”
You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect—you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can.”
- “The sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Make you want to move your dancing feet.”
- “Wake up and live!”
- “Hey, lively up yourself.”
- “Before you start pointing fingers… make sure you hands are clean!”
- “One love, one heart, one destiny.”
- “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
- “Wisdom is better than silver or gold.”
- “Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life.”
- “Hate never sleeps, so neither can love!”
- “Never expect God to do for you what you don't do for others.”
- “The most beautiful curve on a woman's body is her smile”
- “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!”
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!”
- “The most beautiful things are not perfect, they are special.”
- “Don't let them fool ya, or even try to school ya.”
- “Heal with loneliness, heartaches and teardrops.”
- “Forget your troubles and dance.”
- “I don't stand for black man's side, I don't stand for white man's side, I stand for God's side.”
- “I'm gonna be your friend in high tide or in low tide.”
- “Money is numbers and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end.”
- “When one door is closed, don’t you know, another is open.”
- “So much trouble in the world. All you got to do: give a little.”
- “Man is a universe within himself.”
- “The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?”
- “Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but its everything in between that makes it all worth living.”
Final Thoughts on the Wisdom in Bob Marley Quotes
Bob Marley was an incredibly gifted musician with a message of unity that was sorely needed in his time and is unfortunately sorely needed in our time.
His songs also give us a message of hope and thankfulness for the blessing of being human and our capacity to create positive changes for everyone in the world.
For more like this, check these articles out:
- 100 Making Progress Quotes to Help You Succeed
- 77 Determination Quotes to Inspire Your Persistence
- 85 Good Vibes Quotes to Uplift Others
Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.
