As far as I knew white women were never lonely, except in books. White men adored them, Black men desired them and Black women worked for them.

I am a very religious person, so it is the presence of God, the constant unwavering, unrelenting presence of God which continues to help me to keep a character which I am proud to show.

Don't trust people who don't laugh. I don't.

The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God - if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think.

Without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from knowing nothing to believing nothing.

I'm young as morning and fresh as dew. Everybody loves me and so do you.