The young have stolen our youthfulness, and flaunt it without shame.

Pain narrows consciousness; pleasure blurs it.

When Medusa looks in the mirror, she sees the Lady of Sorrows.

My passions have never jumped out of the fireplace and set fire to the carpet.

Retirement requires the invention of a new hedonism, not a return to the hedonism of youth

The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path.

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.

The laughter of the aphorism is sometimes triumphant, but seldom carefree.

'Be faithful to your roots' is the liberal version of 'Stay in your ghetto.'

Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: getting out of bed.

Totem poles and wooden masks no longer suggest tribal villages but fashionable drawing rooms in New York and Paris.

Don't follow a defeated foe. Follow Christ. It is costly. You will be an exile in this age. But you will be free.

The applause of silence. is the only kind that counts.

I am Charles Mingus, half black man, not even white enough to pass for nothing but black. I am Charles Mingus, a famed jazzman, but not famed enough to make a living in this society.

When we undertake to cover our sins, . . . behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man

...man will try to guard his faith more preciously even than his gold.

I live in Los Angeles, I know it exists. I know you're not supposed to taste air.

Certain realities of life we only see through eyes cleansed by our tears.

Remember, it's your own body, your own brain. You're not a victim of the universe, you are the universe.

Can you believe our Ash is getting laid? Our baby is growing up. I'm so proud!

If the boy have not a woman's gift To rain a shower of commanded tears, An onion will do well for such a shift.