“I wanted to know the name of every stone and flower and insect and bird and beast. I wanted to know where it got its color, where it got its life – but there was no one to tell me.”

Where there is no vision, there is no hope.

My purpose alone must be God’s purpose.

You can’t teach people anything. You can only draw out.

We get closer to God as we get more intimately and understandingly acquainted with the things He has created. I know of nothing more inspiring than that of making discoveries for one’s self.

When our thoughts – which bring actions – are filled with hate against anyone, Negro or white, we are in a living hell. That is as real as hell will ever be.

The beating on the tail of the snake may stop his progress a little, but the more vital parts must be struck before his poisonous death-dealing venom will be wiped out.

Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater.

I know of nothing more inspiring than that of making discoveries for ones self.

We have become ninety-nine percent money mad. The method of living at home modestly and within our income, laying a little by systematically for the proverbial rainy day which is due to come, can almost be listed among the lost arts.

Nature is the greatest teacher and I learn from her best when others are asleep. In the still dark hours before sunrise God tells me of the plans I am to fulfill.

God is going to reveal to us things He never revealed before if we put our hands in His.

Never a day passes but that I do myself the honor to commune with some of nature’s varied forms.

There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation – veneer isn’t worth anything.

Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.

Whatever you love opens its secrets to you.

My work is that of keeping every operation down (in size) so that the farmer and the man farthest down can get hold of it.

I would like to paint the way a bird sings.

Every bird that sings, sings for you. Every breeze that blows, blows for you. Every sunray shines for you. If you only knew how loved you are.

If you hang out with chickens, you’re going to cluck and if you hang out with eagles, you’re going to fly.

Only strong birds fly in the storm.

I’m a bird trapped in a self-made cage.

No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky.

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.

[As a young man ] I came to the conclusion that the church was just a bunch of fascists that supported Franco. I stopped going on Sunday mornings and watched the birds with my father instead.