As I look back now I can see that I was a perfect little aristocrat.

Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the city of canals; it had never entered my mind that I should find similar conditions in a Dutch town.

You are young, gifted, and Black. We must begin to tell our young, There's a world waiting for you, Yours is the quest that's just begun.

Every race and every nation should be judged by the best it has been able to produce, not by the worst.

The colored people of this country know and understand the white people better than the white people know and understand them.

My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime, which was then at the height of its vogue, made me a welcome guest.

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies; Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

This country can have no more democracy than it accords and guarantees to the humblest and weakest citizen.

Young man, young man, your arm's too short to box with God.

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered.

It’s no disgrace to be black, but it’s often very inconvenient.

Yeah, I read history. But it doesn't make you nice. Hitler read history, too.

History is just littered with problems that were solved that were supposed to be impossible.

Remind yourself that problems come not to obstruct, but to instruct.

Malice can always find a mark to shoot at, and a pretence to fire.

I actually feel most relaxed when I'm working.

I want to bring something different to every film. I get a bit tired of actors who kind of are the same character in every film that they do.

Detraction's a bold monster, and fears not To wound the fame of princes, if it find But any blemish in their lives to work on.

There is no doubt that we need to manage migration better.Migrants are always getting the blame for politicians.

I ignore my fear. When I make decisions, I pretend it doesn't exist.