It's bliss when you give up all that stuff that separates you from other human beings. It's hard, but you break down all that stuff.

I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer - its dust and lowering skies.

If you want to fly, you have to give up the things that weigh you down.

The function of freedom is to free someone else.

Don’t beg anybody for anything, especially love.

There is no such thing as race. None. There is just a human race - scientifically, anthropologically. Racism is a construct, a social construct... it has a social function, racism.

There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.

In times of dread, artists must never choose to remain silent.

All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was.

Oppressive language does more than represent violence; it is violence; does more than represent the limits of knowledge; it limits knowledge.

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

Talented person is talented everywhere.

You are the reasonFor my blessingsAnd you will be the inspirationOf my enlightened being

It's a struggle for every young Black man. You know how it is, only God can judge us.

I always say if God didn't allow any bad things to happen we would already be in heaven, and we are not there.

I was raised with fear of God, guilt over Jesus, and terror of the Devil.

Listen to me carefully. You can become a legend. But it starts today!

One who has given up any hope of winning a fight or has clearly lost it wants his style in fighting to be admired all the more.

Seek not to shine by borrow'd lights alone.

You've got to stop thinking everyone's problems can be solved by falling in love.