Once you grow past Mommy and Daddy coming running when you're hurt, you're really on your own. You're alone, and there's no one to help you.

I'm a pessimist if I'm not careful, a feminist, a Black,...an oil-and-water combination of ambition, laziness, insecurity, certainty, and drive.

In my years, I have seen that people must be their own gods and make their own good fortune. The bad will come or not come anyway.

Forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable.

...I realized that I knew less about loneliness than I had thought - and much less than I would know when he went away.

The destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars.

He was like me - a kindred spirit crazy enough to keep on trying.