In the life of everyone there is a limited number of experiences which are not written upon the memory, but stamped there with a die; and in the long years after, they can be called up in detail, and every emotion that was stirred by them can be lived through anew; these are the tragedies of life.

It’s no disgrace to be black, but it’s often very inconvenient.

In Berlin I especially enjoyed the orchestral concerts, and I attended a large number of them. I formed the acquaintance of a good many musicians, several of whom spoke of my playing in high terms.

As yet, the Negroes themselves do not fully appreciate these old slave songs.

It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives it most distinctive characteristics.

Make yourself as happy as possible, and try to make those happy whose lives come in touch with yours. But to attempt to right the wrongs and cease the sufferings of the world in general is a waste of effort.

And so for a couple of years my life was divided between my music and my school books.