A rich man told me recently that a liberal is a man who tells other people what to do with their money.

The artist's role is to raise the consciousness of the people. To make them understand life, the world and themselves more completely. That's how I see it. Otherwise, I don't know why you do it.

A man is either free or he is not. There cannot be any apprenticeship for freedom.

There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you

The torture of being the unseen object, and the constantly observed subject.

My responsibility is to truth and beauty.

In America, black is a country.

I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist. I believe that the good guys -the people- are going to win.

There is no depth to education without art.

Thought is more important than art....To revere art and have no understanding of the process that forces it into existence, is finally not even to understand what art is.

All thinking people oppose terrorism both domestic & international but one should not be used to cover the other

The degree of loving is measured by the degree of giving.

The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.

By religion, then, I understand a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to man which are believed to direct and control the course of nature and of human life.

But if I hadn't shoved you off the boat back there,you'd be lost at sea now,wouldn't you? We'd all be lost! So thanks to me you're all standing on land." (Pirates, its a good thing they're idiots)

To tell men that they cannot help themselves is to fling them into recklessness and despair.

There are some things, I think, you're btter off not remembering.

It is inconceivable how much wit it requires to avoid being ridiculous.

Thinkin' of a master plan Cause ain't nothin' but sweat inside my hand.

As long as we have some definite idea about or some hope in the future, we cannot really be serious with the moment that exists right now.

I was very disappointed, very disappointed when President [George W.] Bush proclaimed Kwanzaa as a national holiday. Prior to that, Bill Clinton did the same thing.