I want the great masses of my people to take a greater pride in their personal appearance and to give their hair proper attention.

I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.

If I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.

IT'S PRETTY HARD for the Lord TO GUIDE YOU IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE UP YOUR MIND WHICH WAY TO GO.

I want you to understand that your first duty is to humanity. I want others to look at us and see that we care not just about ourselves but about others.

I got my start by giving myself a start.

I am not satisfied in making money for myself. I endeavor to provide employment for hundreds of the women of my race.

America doesn't respect anything but money. What our people need is a few millionaires.

I am not ashamed of my past. I am not ashamed of my humble beginning.

Perseverance is my motto.

One night I had a dream, and in that dream a big black man appeared to me and told me what to mix up for my hair. I made up my mind I would begin to sell it.

When you face a great problem in life, don’t get scared. Consider it a great adventure. Ultimately it will shape your life with charm.

Education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.

She knew enough to recognize that memories were crowding in, and there was nothing he could do. They wouldn’t let him speak. She would never know what scenes were driving that turmoil.

That’s all there is to life, you know. Fun things, we just need to remember to enjoy them or we waste it all.

Watch out for love (unless it is true, and every part of you says yes including the toes), it will wrap you up like a mummy, and your scream won't be heard and none of your running will run.

Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you.

You're an idiot. Study harder.

A better thing to grow up with is to be funny I think, and if I had, if I had my choice I would still pick that.

I started writing movie scripts. They excited me a lot, but I didn't like them when they were finished because they were simple copies of the films I saw in childhood.

Sometimes it's easier to show than it is to tell