We will have to choose not between color nor race nor religion nor between East and West either, but simply between being slaves and being free. And we will have to choose completely and for good; the time is already past now when we can choose a little of each, a little of both. We can choose a state of slavedom, and if we are powerful enough to be among the top two or three or ten, we can have a certain amount of license - until someone more powerful rises and has us machine-gunned against a cellar wall.

To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.

The artists who want to be writers, read the reviews; the artists who want to write, don't.

Tomorrow night is nothing but one long sleepless wrestle with yesterday's omissions and regrets.

A mule will labor ten years willingly and patiently for you, for the privilege of kicking you once.

Well, Bud," he said, looking at me, "I'll be damned if you don't go to a lot of trouble to have your fun. Kidnapping, then fighting. What do you do on your holidays? Burn houses?

A gentleman can live through anything.