“When my ancestors came from Africa, they were shackled by our neck, our wrists, and our ankles in steel chains.”

If people are cool, then they are not stressed. I pity the fool that don’t be cool.

I used to tell her some man gave me $10 to sweep out the yard. I was like Robin Hood. I took from the rich and gave to the poor. Me.

When I’m in the house of God, I don’t wear my jewelry, if you’re looking for my jewelry. All you see is my heart of gold.

And I say that to send a message to all the young thugs out there; that it’s nothing to be ashamed of to say you love your mother.

I hold the door for the ladies – I’m a gent.

Back in the day, I would wear up to 45 pounds of gold. It would take me four hours to get dressed!

I have the Midas touch, in the way that when I hook up with a project, I feel, not speaking cocky or conceited, but there’s a confidence I have.

If you get knocked down – setbacks in life, like applying for a job if they don’t hire you – keep trying, keep getting up, keep doing it.

In high school, I majored in brick masonry.

You pity the fool because you don’t want to beat up a fool! You know, pity is between sorry and mercy. See, if you pity him, you know, you won’t have to beat him up. So that’s why I say fools, you gotta give another chance because they don’t know no better. That’s why I pity them!

I knew I wasn’t going to be a rocket scientist – let’s not be fools – but I wasn’t going to be a bum.

Basically, I wear sandals, like Jesus. When it gets cold in Chicago, the snow way up to my knees, I still wear my sandals. But that’s me.

Reading is the key to knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding. So read on, young man! Read on, young lady!

My gold, my money couldn’t stop cancer from appearing on my body. If they can’t save me, then I don’t need them.

Lord, so when I speak, my words might motivate, might inspire somebody, Lord, when they see me, let them see you. When they hear me, Lord, let them hear you. In your holy name I pray.’

We all gonna die eventually from something or other, but don’t be a wimp. Put up a good fight.