Frank Zappa quotes - page 6

Just because somebody hears something you say, or reads something that you write, doesn't mean you've reached them. With reading comprehension being what it is in the U. S., you can safely toss that one out the window. If you want to judge by the listening habits of people who buy records, the first thing they do is put it on and talk over it. (Frank Zappa)
I think that if you use the so-called "strong words" you'll get your point across faster and you can save a lot of beating around the bush. Why are people afraid of words? Sometimes the dumbest thing that gets said makes the point for you. View quote
Frank Zappa
The Ultimate Rule ought to be: 'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchin'; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty. The more your musical experience, the easier it is to define for yourself what you like and what you don't like. American radio listeners, raised on a diet of _____ (fill in the blank), have experienced a musical universe so small they cannot begin to know what they like. View quote
Frank Zappa
A drug is neither moral nor immoral -- it's a chemical compound. The compound itself is not a menace to society until a human being treats it as if consumption bestowed a temporary license to act like an asshole. View quote
Frank Zappa
The manner in which Americans ''consume'' music has a lot to do with leaving it on their coffee tables, or using it as wallpaper for their lifestyles, like the score of a movie --it's consumed that way without any regard for how and why it's made. View quote
Frank Zappa
Certification from one source or another seems to be the most important thing to people all over the world. A piece of paper from a school that says you're smart, a pat on the head from your parents that says you're good or some reinforcement from your peers that makes you think what you're doing is worthwhile. People are just waiting around to get certified. View quote
Frank Zappa
Do we really want to know how Michael Jackson makes his music No. We want to understand why he needs the bones of the Elephant Man -- and, until he tells us, it doesn't make too much difference whether or not he really is ''bad.'' View quote
Frank Zappa
Their stupidity does not amaze me, its when they're smart that amazes me. View quote
Frank Zappa
I can't see any authority on the horizon that's got any answers that seem worthwhile. Most of the things that are suggested are probably detrimental to your mental health. View quote
Frank Zappa
Keep him or her as far away from a church as you can. View quote
Frank Zappa
The cool-person syndrome is peculiarly American. Part of that has to do with the way the educational business is run in the U.S. It's not based on how much you can teach your child: it's based on how much money the suppliers of basic materials can make off your child. (Frank Zappa)
Being cynical is the only way to deal with modern civilization - you can't just swallow it whole. View quote
Frank Zappa
There's no reason to assume that my idea of what‘s better would really be better. I resent it when other people try to inflict their ideas of betterness on me. View quote
Frank Zappa
I never claimed to be a man for all seasons. View quote
Frank Zappa
Nothing weird about that as long as you do it in a meaningful way. View quote
Frank Zappa
The richest people in the world aren't particularly smart or happy. And the happiest people in the world aren't particularly smart or rich. View quote
Frank Zappa
Certification from one source or another seems to be the most important thing to people all over the world. View quote
Frank Zappa
This concept of one world-ism, everything blended and smoothed out to this mediocre norm that everybody downgrades themselves to be is stupid. View quote
Frank Zappa
Time and those waves are at the disposal of anyone who wants to use them. View quote
Frank Zappa
Let 'em enjoy it. It's there for their edification. But total comprehension is out of the question. View quote
Frank Zappa
We live in a very special time right now. At no other time in history has there been such mass disillusionment in terms of reliance on governing functions. Most people don't want to come to terms with that. (Frank Zappa)
Because it all comes from inside. As a matter of fact, that's where it stays. View quote
Frank Zappa
The Ultimate Rule ought to be: 'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchin'; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty. The more your musical experience, the easier it is to define for yourself what you like and what you don't like. View quote
Frank Zappa
I think that if a person doesn't feel cynical then they're out of phase with the 20th century. Being cynical is the only way to deal with modern civilization - you can't just swallow it whole. View quote
Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa: I would say the illusion [of freedom] will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move all the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theatre. View quote
Frank Zappa