B. B. King

As you get older, your fingers sometimes swell. But I’ve missed 18 days in 65 years. Sometimes guys will just take off; I’ve never done that. If I’m booked to play, I go and play.

The blues was bleeding the same blood as me.

I’m trying to get people to see that we are our brother’s keeper. Red, white, black, brown or yellow, rich or poor, we all have the blues.

A lot of people believe what other people say.

I bought my first electric guitar when I moved to Memphis; a Gibson with a DeArmond pickup which I used with a small Gibson amplifier.

I call myself a blues singer, but you ain’t never heard me call myself a blues guitar man.

When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part.

Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage.

[on Michelle] A dedicated mom, a good friend, and someone who’s not afraid to poke a little fun at herself from time to time

It is a woman’s business to get married as soon as possible, and a man’s to keep unmarried as long as he can.

Both marriage and death ought to be welcome: The one promises happiness, doubtless the other assures it.

Husbands and wives, first be faithful to each other. Second, keep the romance going all of your life by courting each other every day.

Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.

There’s no doubt I’m a better man having spent time with Michelle. I would never say that Michelle’s a better woman, but I will say she’s a little more patient.

In matrimony, to hesitate is sometimes to be saved.

A man’s friendships are, like his will, invalidated by marriage – but they are also no less invalidated by the marriage of his friends.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

It has to be a true partnership, and you have to really really like and respect the person you’re married to because it is a hard road.

Obviously I couldn’t have done anything that I’ve done without Michelle… not only has she been a great first lady, she is just my rock. I count on her in so many ways every single day.

By all means marry. If you get a good wife you will become happy, and if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher.

My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.