Access to knowledge is the superb, the supreme act of truly great civilizations. Of all the institutions that purport to do this, free libraries stand virtually alone in accomplishing this mission.

Where do you get the right to decide our lives? I'll tell you where. From that little hog's gut that hangs between your legs. Well, let me tell you something... you will need more than that. I don't know where you will get it or who will give it to you, but mark my words, you will need more than that.... You are a sad, pitiful, stupid, selfish, hateful man. I hope your little hog's gut stands you in good stead, and you take good care of it, because you don't have anything else.

I don't think I knew any of my father's friends - male friends - by their real names. I remember them only by their nicknames.

Somebody has to take responsibility for being a leader.

you got two feet, Sethe, not four." he said, and right then a forest sprang up between them; tactless and quiet.

I'm not entangled in shaping my work according to other people's views of how I should have done it.

I think there's data, and then there's information that comes from data, and then there's knowledge that comes from information. And then, after knowledge, there is wisdom. I am interested in how to get from data to wisdom.