We are very fond of blaming the poor for destroying the environment. But often it is the powerful, including governments, that are responsible.

You can make a lot of speeches, but the real thing is when you dig a hole, plant a tree, give it water, and make it survive. That's what makes the difference

You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself. That values itself. That understands itself.

You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own, that they must protect them.

When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope.

No matter who or where we are, or what our capabilities, we are called to do the best we can.

I’m very conscious of the fact that you can’t do it alone. It’s teamwork. When you do it alone you run the risk that when you are no longer there nobody else will do it.

Every person who has ever achieved anything has been knocked down many times. But all of them picked themselves up and kept going, and that is what I have always tried to do.

African women in general need to know that it's OK for them to be the way they are - to see the way they are as a strength, and to be liberated from fear and from silence.

Human rights are not things that are put on the table for people to enjoy. These are things you fight for and then you protect.

We cannot tire or give up. We owe it to the present and future generations of all species to rise up and walk!

As far as she could see, children mostly argued, shouted, ran around very fast, laughed loudly, picked their noses, got dirty and sulked.

A good oration is good and a good understanding is better, but a good action in the right direction that gets the best results is the best!

Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.

No trilogy should have more than four books.

They say the blues is sad, but when B.B. sings 'I got a sweet little angel, I love the way she spreads her wings,' that don't sound too sad to me!

I have to go someplace where I can soak myself in a creative atmosphere.

When a man does exactly what a woman expects him to do she doesn't think much of him. One should always do what a woman doesn't expect, just as one should say what she doesn't understand.

Justice while she winks at crimes, Stumbles on innocence sometimes.

I guess a witness is all I am. I think as a writer, you're pretty removed. Writing is a very selfish, individualistic pursuit. So in that sense I'm a witness because I'm not participating.

Chess is one long regret.