I didn't have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go out in the world and become strong, to discover my mission in life.
Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: 'I'm with you kid. Let's go.'
How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.
For a person who grew up in the '30s and '40s in the segregated South, with so many doors closed without explanation to me, libraries and books said, 'Here I am, read me.' Over time I have learned I am at my best around books.
Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up.
The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers.
Don't take yourself too seriously. Know when to laugh at yourself, and find a way to laugh at obstacles that inevitably present themselves.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
At the end of the day, you're responsible for yourself and your actions and that's all you can control. So rather than be frustrated with what you can't control, try to fix the things you can.
Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.
Gods always behave like the people who make them.
More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. More is required. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision of the future.
Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.
It's easy to do anything in victory. It's in defeat that a man reveals himself.
People have been killing because of racial differences since the time of Adam and Eve, but in this country racism has been primarily aimed at African Americans.
But just as they did in Philadelphia when they were writing the constitution, sooner or later, you've got to compromise. You've got to start making the compromises that arrive at a consensus and move the country forward.
You will only find the happiness you seek when you drop your negative attitude towards life, embrace life and be happy.
When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
The man who has no imagination has no wings.
Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Every day we present the best quotes! Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends
or simply: