God is not nice. God is not an uncle. God is an earthquake.

We are closer to God when we are asking questions than when we think we have the answers.

Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.

Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will.

Remember that there is meaning beyond absurdity. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art.

In any free society where terrible wrongs exist, some are guilty - all are responsible.

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.

The opposite of good is not evil, the opposite of good is indifference.

Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society.

When I marched with Martin Luther King in Selma, I felt my legs were praying.

Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.

Remember that sometimes you find your destiny in the places you least expect it.

Natural ability is important, but you can go far without it if you have the focus, drive, desire and positive attitude.

Our generation is wonderful generation, full of wonder. It's very hard to find an example of it in all our history. Composed of contradictions — light and darkness mixed.

Money is not the reason that people enter teaching.

Expect the unexpected.

The church is her true self only when she exists for humanity.

Leadership must be demonstrated, not announced.

There's action only if there is danger.

[Sometimes I] put on a ski mask and dress in old clothes, go out on the streets and beg for quarters.

The only thing that's changed for me is that I've figured out a new way to do this; when I go to record, I like to do the drums last, if that makes any sense to you.