To be awake is to be fully present, no noise, just you and God. Most of us only have seconds of full consciousness. To live in a state of Samadhi – that’s what we’re here for. – Russell Simmons
Young people, when they’re left alone, always want to have compassion, and they always want to give. They always want to help people who are less fortunate. – Russell Simmons
As I get, I give. Giving as you get is critical. It has everything to do with being happy for yourself, and making others happy is the cause of making yourself happy, and it’s the cycle of giving and getting. – Russell Simmons
If you give a good thing to the world, then over time your karma will be good, and you’ll receive good. – Russell Simmons
I want to get involved in things that makes a difference in peoples lives and lifts them up. I don’t want to be a part of anything that’s not inspiring or helpful to the community that I’m serving. – Russell Simmons
Most people believe that results matter. The idea that results matter is one that you have to keep letting go of. And most of the time, I believe it. – Russell Simmons
People will always blame the poets for society’s ills. But these are the true artists. – Russell Simmons
You can’t jump to vegan if you’re not. Some people are absolute. Some people are able to be gradual. – Russell Simmons
If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you’re going to get, you become a more successful person. – Russell Simmons
My experiences have been, from the very beginning, cultural and creative. And my business has been a way of exposing the culture, exposing the artists so that the world could hear and see them. – Russell Simmons
American democracy is spoiled by people buying everything in sight and then selling and buying everything in sight, including our politicians. – Russell Simmons
Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Pick people who are interested in what you’re interested in. – Russell Simmons
I have 2 million Twitter followers. Some of those people are also yogis and activists and people who really go out and make a difference. I do as much as I can with my voice. It’s effortless in some cases. I try to remind everybody that they have that kind of voice. – Russell Simmons
You know, the diversity that America has is so special. It’s starting to really become a cool thing for young people. – Russell Simmons
If you learn late, you pass it on to people so they can learn early. It’s a step process. – Russell Simmons
The thing about hip-hop is that it’s from the underground, ideas from the underbelly, from people who have mostly been locked out, who have not been recognized. – Russell Simmons
I run a bunch of charities and I say this line to people: ‘I am somebody who has always been helped.’ A little thing like that can make people believe it. – Russell Simmons
When I started the diamond business, no black person, period, was in it to do what we’re trying to do to change the industry. So I like to do things that I see clearly that are in my, you know, scope. And then, I had to figure how I get talented or smart business people around me to execute. That’s what I have to do. – Russell Simmons
The book ‘Do You!’ is about your inner voice. And when you connect to that voice then you – then the freedom comes. And we’re only here to be happy. So happy makes money. Money doesn’t make happy. – Russell Simmons
People are afraid of failure – they don’t like to work so hard and have people keep saying, ‘No.’ I think that’s what people fear most. – Russell Simmons
My little girls are the most beautiful women in the world. I am a lucky, lucky man. I will spend every day making sure that they know this. – Russell Simmons
It is crucial that rappers have the chance to express the truth that is in their heart. – Russell Simmons
There was a moment when I was watching Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in ‘Badboys’ that I felt, you know, inspired. I don’t know if I was proud, because so many people do the work. Everyone’s part of a team that develops over the years and gives people chances. There have been some good moments watching people develop. – Russell Simmons
Well, it’s the last step of the civil rights movement: You know, wrap your hands around some money, right? – Russell Simmons
