The country didn't get that way in a week; we've had years and years of getting behind in our economy. So President [Barack] Obama stepped into a hellhole and people wanted him to change it as soon as he came in. But he's got his adversaries to deal with in the House and Senate, so it's not easy.

There are some nights when sleep plays coy, aloof and disdainful. And all the wiles that I employ to win its service to my side are useless as wounded pride, and much more painful.

The whites were really brutishly ignorant, blitheringly, so they killed people sometimes - just came into the African-American community and maimed people because they didn't agree with God's choice for the colors of the people's skin.

The woman who truly intends to live a good life is already living phenomenally since intent is part of the achievement.

Be wary when a naked person offers you his shirt

The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.

I'm grateful to be of use. I will not be misused or abused, but I will be of use to anybody.