Chance has never yet satisfied the hope of a suffering people.

Never forget that intelligence rules the world and ignorance carries the burden. Therefore, remove yourself as far as possible from ignorance and seek as far as possible to be intelligent.

Always try to associate with people from whom you can learn something. All the knowledge that you want is in the world, and all you have to do is go and seek it.

The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness.

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

If we as a people realized the greatness from which we came we would be less likely to disrespect ourselves.

If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.

Intelligence rules the world, ignorance carries the burden.

If you get up everyday and you don't learn you are a fool

The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind

Do not remove the kinks from your hair--remove them from your brain.

A tragic situation exists precisely when virtue does not triumph but when it is still felt that man is nobler than the forces which destroy him.

I play in New York, man. Criticism is part of the game. You take criticism as a challenge.

As human beings, even if we were to have tried to forget the past, if you dealt with it in a cavalier fashion, it would return to haunt you.

[On newspapers:] A first draft of history.

The body, what is it, Father, but a sign To love the force that grows us, to give back What in Thy palm is senselessness and mud?

My first memories of music were country music and Ronnie Milsap. Where I grew up, it was what you listened to. And anything else, you were somewhat out of place.

Existence is of little interest save on days when the dust of realities is mingled with magic sand.

Conservatives' views of liberals are just as distorted as ours are of conservatives.

I've always gravitated towards opera, and the Royal Opera House is quite possibly the greatest opera house on earth.

In India a farmhand was caught in the act with his cow. He said he had bad eyesight and thought it was his wife.