We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.

There is nothing of any consequence in education, in the economy, in city planning, in social policy that does not concern black people.

How exquisitely human was the wish for permanent happiness, and how thin human imagination became trying to achieve it.

Deep, deep trouble. Can't rival the dead for love. Lose every time.

Misery don't call ahead. That's why you have to stay awake - otherwise it just walks on in your door.

I began to realize that this idea of the lighter the better and the darker the worse was really - had an impact on sororities, on friendships, on all sorts of things, and it was stunning to me.

I sometimes lose interest in the characters and get much more interested in the trees and animals.