“I feel that my environment reflects my belief in the grace and art and elegance of living simply.”

Feminism is for everybody.

Forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?

Whenever women struggle with breast cancer and face better care than ever, that’s feminism.

The political core of any movement for freedom in the society has to have the political imperative to protect free speech.

Sometimes people try to destroy you, precisely because they recognize your power – not because they don’t see it, but because they see it and they don’t want it to exist.

One of the most subversive institutions in the United States is the public library.

I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.

Life-transforming ideas have always come to me through books.

The rage of the oppressed is never the same as the rage of the privileged.

Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.

The people I love, I’m committed to loving for the rest of my life.

What we cannot imagine cannot come into being.

No black woman writer in this culture can write “too much”. Indeed, no woman writer can write “too much”. No woman has ever written enough.

You can only realize change if you live simply. Once people want enormous excess, you can hardly do social change.

To love well is the task in all meaningful relationships, not just romantic bonds.

There is no life to be found in violence. Every act of violence brings us closer to death.

When you are learning about a martial art, it is about respect.

Martial arts is for defense. It’s not for attacking. So when people are fighting, always, always, defend.

Art is the symbol of the two noblest human efforts: to construct and to refrain from destruction.

Art hurts. Art urges voyages – and it is easier to stay at home.

Her beautiful smile, her soft, tender heart; she’s an actual, walking, work of art.

Let the moon teach you the art of being beautiful and lonely at the same time.

The basis of art is change in the universe.

An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.