It's only very recently that women have succeeded in entering those professions which, as Muses, they typified for the Greeks

Be careful, think about the effect of what you say. Your words should be constructive, bring people together, not pull them apart.

The conqueror writes history, they came, they conquered and they write. You don't expect the people who came to invade us to tell the truth about us.

Girls are the future mothers of our society, and it is important that we focus on their well-being.

I kept my culture. I kept the music of my roots. Through my music I became this voice and image of Africa and the people without even realising.

Age is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that if you cannot turn the world the way you want, you can at least get out of the way so you won't get run over.

There are three things I was born with in this world, and there are three things I will have until the day I die-hope, determination, and song.

Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them

I see other black women imitate my style, which is no style at all, but just letting our hair be itself. They call it the Afro Look.

A true teacher does not terrorize ignorant students, because a true teacher knows that it is his job to cure ignorance.

I do not sing politics. I merely sing the truth.

Yes – But – Well, it is yours to choose. I do not force anyone. Is it a hard choice?” “No-o.” Judith shook her head. “Except that I do not know which to choose.

My life is my message.

The more stitches, the less riches.

He wants to live on through something - and in his case, his masterpiece is his son. All of us want that, and it gets more poignant as we get more anonymous in this world.

Nothing is ever perfect. It is what you make of it.

You can only milk a cow so long, then you're left holding the pail.

The more film I watch, the more John Ford looks like a giant. His politics aren't so good, and you have to learn to accept John Wayne as an actor, but he's a poet in black and white.

It won't make you feel any better, he told me, it might even make things worse for a while. But you mustn't let the sadness die inside you. You have to give it some life.

Doubt is a central factor all the time. There's always the doubt: What the hell am I doing out here in the middle of the woods, all alone, painting?

I like to go to the races at Hollywood Park, but I don't usually win with the horses, so afterward I go to Auntie Em's and drown my sorrows in a red velvet cupcake. It never fails me.