The victim who is able to articulate the situation of the victim has ceased to be a victim: he or she has become a threat.
James A. BaldwinPessimists are the people who have no hope for themselves or for others. Pessimists are also people who think the human race is beneath their notice, that they're better than other human beings.
James A. BaldwinYears ago, when he was around fourteen, he'd been all hipped on the idea of going to India. He read books about people sitting on rocks, naked, in all kinds of weather, but mostly bad, naturally, and walking barefoot through hot coals and arriving at wisdom. I used to say that it sounded to me as though they were getting away from wisdom as fast as they could. I think he sort of looked down on me for that.
James A. BaldwinIt is hard for anyone under twenty to realise that death has already assigned them a number, which is going to come up one day.
James A. Baldwin