...the people at large absolutely gave James Brown respect. He was an original like a Rembrandt or a Picasso

We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right.

Be your own artist, and always be confident in what youre doing. If youre not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.

Soul is a constant. It's cultural. It's always going to be there, in different flavors and degrees.

I'm a big woman. I need big hair.

If you disrespect everybody that you run into, how in the world do you think everybody's supposed to respect you?

People really don't have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you. And just don't let that go to your head, whatever it is they give you.

Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!

Falling out of love is like losing weight. It's a lot easier putting it on than taking it off.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.

My faith always has been and always will be important to me.

Our eyes see only that which language can explain, but our hearts see that which is invisible and unexplainable.

Eat beautiful foods, which are nutritionally dense, wholesome and natural.

Naval Special Warfare is no place for the weak of heart, limb, or liver.

I get tired of playing a guy who gets into a fight, then starts singing to the guy he's just beat up.

I always enjoyed working out and pushing myself physically and mentally as much as I possibly could.

When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted, To sever for years.

I feel like the oldest person in the world with the longest stretch of life before me.

Love what you do and do what you love.

The labor of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce.

God forgive me for having thought it possible that a schoolmaster could be out and out a rational being.