We black women are the single group in the West intact. And anybody can see we're pretty shaky. We are, however (all praises), the only group that derives its identity from itself.

Deal with yourself as a individual, worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way.

She knows who she is, because she knows who she isn't.

Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.

The only way you can grow is to let yourself make mistakes and create contradictions. As we learn new things, some of our old attitudes will change.

We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again.

We have a world to conquer...one person at a time...starting with ourselves.

I want to be clear about this. If you wrote from experience, you'd get maybe one book, maybe three poems. Writers write from empathy.

We love because it's the only true adventure.

You must be unintimidated by your own thoughts.

Once you know who you are, you don't have to worry anymore.

Wisdom is the ultimate source of kindness and happiness.

I am not alone, in my aloneness.

Everyone tries to be an optimist. But being an optimist is a bit boring and not honest. Losers are more interesting than winners.

I have always loved to begin with the facts, to observe them, to walk in the light of experiment and demonstrate as much as possible, and to discuss the results.

The only way to avoid making mistakes is not to do anything. And that will be the ultimate mistake.

Nobody suddenly discovers anything. Thing are made slowly and in pain.

Nothing will divide this nation more than ignorance, and nothing can bring us together better than an educated population.

I like Wagner's music better than anybody's. It is so loud that one can talk the whole time without other people hearing what one says.

Do not be one of those who, rather than risk failure, never attempts anything.

I believe women do the best womenswear.