I am her friend, and her tongue is in my mouth. I can speak her sentiments for her, though Ethel Waters can do very well indeed in speaking for herself.

Most things are born in the mothering darkness and most things die. Darkness is the womb of creation, my boy. But the sun with his seven horns of flame is the father of life.

If you haven't got it, you can't show it. If you have got it, you can't hide it.

Folklore is the boiled-down juice, or pot-likker, of human living.

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

I have known the joy and pain of friendship. I have served and been served. I have made some good enemies for which I am not a bit sorry. I have loved unselfishly, and I have fondled hatred with the red-hot tongs of Hell. That's living.

I been through living for years. I just ain't dead yet.