I do not speak carelessly or recklessly but with a definite object of helping the people, especially those of my race, to know, to understand, and to realize themselves.

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.

If you are serious about your goals and you truly desire to achieve your dreams, you must write them down.

Chess is imagination.

I always have a camera now that I've got a kid, but I don't think I've got one picture of anyone other than my daughter.

We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps.

Life is more complicated than we think, yet far simpler than anyone dares to imagine

Life becomes livable only to the extent that death is treated as a friend, never as an enemy.

I'm forever BECOMING. I'll never be complete, because completion is death.

Focus equals feeling.

I'm being mocked because I don't live up to a socially determined view of what other people think a person should look like.

Tramaine Hawkins has been a mentor, a confidante and an example of greatness. She has been through a lot in her life, and her career has spanned over 50 years. To me, that's what you call a legend.