Seek patience and passion in equal amounts. Patience alone will not build the temple. Passion alone will destroy its walls.

I agree with Balzac and 19th-century writers, black and white, who say, 'I write for money.' Yes, I think everybody should be paid handsomely; I insist on it, and I pay people who work for me, or with me, handsomely.

I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill, of things unknown, but longed for still, and his tune is heard on the distant hill, for the caged bird sings of freedom.

Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives.

That knowledge humbles me, melts my bones, closes my ears, and makes my teeth rock loosely in their gums. And it also liberates me. I am a big bird winging over high mountains, down into serene valleys. I am ripples of waves on silver seas. I'm a spring leaf trembling in anticipation.

Look heavenward and speak the word aloud. Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud. Peace.