african american quotes

People are taking it for granted that [the African-American] ought not to work with his head. And it is so easy for these people among whom we are living to believe this; it flatters and satisfies their self-complacency.

With our short sight we affect to take a comprehensive view of eternity. Our horizon is the universe.

And that is life.

I know why the caged bird sings; ah me, when his wing is bruised and his bosom sore; when he beats his bars and he would be free, it is not a carol of joy or glee, but a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core.

All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.

The Lord had a job for me, but I had so much to do, I said, "You get somebody else--or wait till I get through." I don't know how the Lord came out, but He seemed to get along: But I felt kinda sneakin' like, 'cause I know'd I done Him wrong. One day I needed the Lord--Needed Him myself--needed Him right away, And He never answered me at all, but I could hear Him say Down in my accusin' heart, ?Nigger, I'se got too much to do, You get somebody else or wait till I get through?

Poor conceited humanity! Interpreters of God indeed.

We reduce the deity to vulgar fractions. We place our own little ambitions and label them ?divine messages?. With our short sight we affect to take a comprehensive view of eternity.