I ran away from St. Louis, and then I ran away from the United States, because of that terror of discrimination.

The secret to the fountain of youth is to think youthful thoughts.

Beautiful? It's all a question of luck. I was born with good legs. As for the rest... beautiful, no. Amusing, yes.

My people have a country of their own to go to if they choose... Africa... but, this America belongs to them just as much as it does to any of the white race... in some ways even more so, because they gave the sweat of their brow and their blood in slavery so that many parts of America could become prosperous and recognized in the world.

I like Frenchmen very much, because even when they insult you they do it so nicely.

When I was a child and they burned me out of my home, I was frightened and I ran away. Eventually I ran far away. It was to a place called France. Many of you have been there, and many have not. But I must tell you, ladies and gentlemen, in that country I never feared. It was like a fairyland place.

What am I most ashamed of in my life? Not keeping my promise to my sister and being too scared of America to attend her funeral.