When you have done everything that you can do, surrender. Give yourself up to the power and energy that's greater than yourself.

I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time.

Every story about Oprah Winfrey Network was that it was struggling.I literally had a come-to-Jesus meeting with myself to say, 'Lord, what would you have me do?' What I know for sure is that the only way to hold onto yourself is through a spiritual base - otherwise you lose it.

I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools (in America) that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there. If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.

You can take from every experience what it has to offer you. And you cannot be defeated if you just keep taking one breath followed by another.

I would say that during the time that I was 14 and pregnant - I didn't even know what pregnancy was when I got pregnant - I was trying to do everything I could to harm myself. I said to God, "God, if you want me to die, then you're going to have to kill me".

The expectation of my life was that I might be able to work for some good white folks. Now I got some good white folks working for me.