Wherever we go, across the Pacific or Atlantic, we meet, not similarity so much as 'the bizarre'. Things astonish us, when we travel, that surprise nobody else

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.

A true teacher does not terrorize ignorant students, because a true teacher knows that it is his job to cure ignorance.

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

Dedicate yourself to what gives your life true meaning and purpose

A friend is a friend who continues to love you and like you when you don't love him or like him any more.

But the French writers always had more originality and independence than others, and that regulator, which elsewhere was religion, long since ceased to exist for them.

Justice is charity in accordance with wisdom.

And clay-caked clothes are so last year.

When you have attained the way of strategy there will be nothing that you cannot understand. You will see the way in everything.

I covered the Lebanese civil war. I could see a place that had once been prosperous and now was impoverished. I'm not seeing that in America.

I learned that if a relationship is honest, it can last through anything despite all the challenges we have to face and everything that happens around us.

There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates' loot on Treasure Island...

Money will buy you a bed, but not a good night's sleep, a house but not a home, a companion but not a friend.