If one cannot risk oneself, then one is simply incapable of giving. And, after all, one can give freedom only by setting someone free.
James A. BaldwinThe purpose of education...is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions.
James A. BaldwinIt is only because the world looks on his talent with such a frightening indifference that the artist is compelled to make his talent important.
James A. BaldwinThe sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.
James A. BaldwinFonny and I just sat there... while the voices of the congregation rose and rose around us, without mercy... Teddy had the tambourine, and gave the cue to the piano player-I never got to know him: a long dark, evil-looking brother, with hands made for strangling; and with these hands he attacked the keyboard like he was beating the brains out of someone he remembered. No doubt the congregation had their memories, too, and they went to pieces. The church began to rock.
James A. Baldwin