I was reared in the conservative atmosphere of a Methodist parsonage.

The truth is... everything counts. Everything. Everything we do and everything we say. Everything helps or hurts; everything adds to or takes away from someone else.

There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.

If I am going to be a poet at all, I am going to be POET and not NEGRO POET.

What is Africa to me: Copper sun or scarlet sea, Jungle star or jungle track, Strong bronzed men, or regal black Women from whose loins I sprang When the birds of Eden sang?

We shall not always plant while others reap

The key to all strange things is in thy heart..../ My spirit has come home, that sailed the doubtful seas.

My poetry has become the way of my giving out what music is within me.

We were not made to eternally weep.

Dame Poverty gave me my name, And Pain godfathered me.

For we must be one thing or the other, an asset or a liability, the sinew in your wing to help you soar, or the chain to bind you to earth.

I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.

Light is invisible until it strikes an object. So is your love until you share it.

Strange how something good can come from something horrible.

‎I believe very strongly that when it comes to desire, when it comes to attraction, that things are never black and white, things are very much shades of grey.

The budgets are runnin' low, the streets ain't really got money no more, things are just dryin' up; I just felt like people needed some motivation, so I took 'em "Overtime."

Always be prepared; always work hard and take pride in your work no matter what it is. I still follow that advice and have already tried to pass it on to my children. They, of course, ignored me.

Looking back we see with great clarity, and what once appeared as difficulties now reveal themselves as blessings.

The wealthy seldom possess wealth: oftener they are possessed by it.

I hate that word, mature, but I guess I am growing up.

I've always done a bass and drum solo that lasts about 10 minutes. The main thing is to use it only when you need to.