It was important, I know, for my father as a product of his times not to be vulnerable, so he chose, and I can't say that I blame him, to live his life rather than create it.

Surviving and believing in tomorrow is just a habit I can't break.

Racism is a virus. And since nobody's really looking too hard for a cure it reproduces itself over and over again.

To my father, who told me the stories that matter. To my mother, who taught me to remember them.

I quickly learned that motherhood was a high wire act sometimes performed without a net.

Novelists have to love humanity to write anything worthwhile. Poets have to love themselves.

I am a stranger to half measures.

Love is going to replace life and from then on it's all smooth sailing. Love will replace life.

The fragile nature of youth is at last hardened by the agony of experience.

The enemy is over there and we are still seeking revenge from the nature.

I like to see honesty out of people. People who are trustworthy. I like to see people who are involved with The Lord.

I am not a juicy painter.

Success has ruin'd many a man.

I don't believe in men waiting until they are ready to die before using any of their money for helpful purposes.

Here is true immorality: ignorance and stupidity; the devil is nothing but this. His name is Legion.

I am not a fan of historical fiction that is sloppy in its research or is dishonest about the real history.

Teach your children not to strive for high self-esteem. This is nothing less than teaching them arrogance, conceit and superiority feelings.

I would love to play a nun. I used to want to be one when I was a kid.