Miriam Makeba Quotes

Be careful, think about the effect of what you say. Your words should be constructive, bring people together, not pull them apart.

The conqueror writes history, they came, they conquered and they write. You don't expect the people who came to invade us to tell the truth about us.

Girls are the future mothers of our society, and it is important that we focus on their well-being.

I kept my culture. I kept the music of my roots. Through my music I became this voice and image of Africa and the people without even realising.

Age is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that if you cannot turn the world the way you want, you can at least get out of the way so you won't get run over.

There are three things I was born with in this world, and there are three things I will have until the day I die-hope, determination, and song.

Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them

I see other black women imitate my style, which is no style at all, but just letting our hair be itself. They call it the Afro Look.

I do not sing politics. I merely sing the truth.

If given a choice, I would have certainly selected to be what I am: one of the oppressed instead of one of the oppressors.

Age is wisdom if one has lived ones life properly.

I have one thing in common with the emerging black nations of Africa: We both have voices, and we are discovering what we can do with them.

I look at an ant and I see myself: a native South African, endowed by nature with a strength much greater than my size so I might cope with the weight of a racism that crushes my spirit.

For instance, we're always fighting amongst each other. Who gives us the arms? And then we become indebted to wherever we are buying them from - with what? The very resources we need to keep there.

I'm not a politician; I am a singer. Long ago, they said, 'That one, she sings politics.' I don't sing politics; I merely sing the truth.

I will probably die singing.

African music, though very old, is always being rediscovered in the West.

You are damned and praised, or encouraged or discouraged by those who listen to you, and those who come to applaud you. And to me, those people are very important.

But if you are going to wear blinders then you do not know the world.

In the mind, in the heart, I was always home. I always imagined, really, going back home.

And I believe that it becomes a troubled continent because there are those who must always cause confusion so that we do not keep these natural resources.

I look at the past and I see myself.

I have to go and say farewell to all the countries that I have been to, if I can. I am 73 now, it is taxing on me.

It was hard to be away from home, but I am glad that I am home now.

my thoughts are like quick little fish that swim out of my grasp.

Belafonte sent his people to pick me up and I went back and shook his hand, then went back to my little flat. I was very happy to have met a president of the United States - little me!

I titled the album Reflections because I am reflecting on my music career.

[Belafonte]'d take me to perform for Martin Luther King's cause. But when they were marching I did not take part, because I was not a citizen

There are a lot of homes for boys, but very few for girls, that is why I chose to do for girls.

Africa has her mysteries and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them.

Which goes to show you, you can make all the laws you want, but you cannot change people's ways. If you must change them, you have to understand that it will take a long time.