There is a kind of strength that is almost frightening in Black women. It's as if a steel rod runs right through the head down to the feet.

Nothing will work unless you do.

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. Please remember that your difficulties do not define you. They simply strengthen your ability to overcome.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style

If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.

You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!

As you grow old, if you don't earn some money or inspiration out of your hobby, you will stop pursuing your hobby.

Approach each new day as a new opportunity to be the person you aspire to be.

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love grace and gratitude.

I have an amazing husband who is a strong man of God. He is very dedicated to me and our family.

I'm a member of the Academy, but I don't know who all the other Academy members are. It's not like a politician who knows who is in the Iowa caucus.

There are ten men in me and I do not know or understand one of them.

I used to work as a private detective years and years ago.

I love nature, I love the landscape, because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully, musically earnest. I lie and relie on the earth.

Everywhere the means is erected into the end, and the end itself is forgotten.

It's best to incorporate a broadly eclectic point of view, and let whatever moves you be your inspiration.