Langston Hughes

"I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins."

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

"Life for me ain't been no crystal stair."

"I am my mother's son. I wear the colors she gave me when I was born."

"Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"We have tomorrow bright before us like a flame."

"The idea of a beautiful American Negro is still just an idea."

"I, too, sing America."

"Folks, I'm telling you, birthing is hard and dying is mean – so get yourself a little loving in between."

"I think we ought to let him know we're glad he's here."

"Tomorrow is ours to share."

"There are words like Freedom, Sweet and wonderful to say."

"The night is beautiful, so the faces of my people."

"I am seeking for the truth and I find that the truth is not in a doctrine."

"Money and art are far apart."

"Good morning, Revolution! You're the very best thing that ever happened to me."

"I come as a live wire rather than a dead sheep."

"Art is important only as it speaks to something within you."

"I wish the whole world was as easy to love as I loved you."

"We learn by example and by direct experience because there are real limits to the adequacy of verbal instruction."

"The whole system of American race relations depends on the general acceptance of the stereotype."

"Knowledge of thyself is the beginning of all wisdom."

"Let America be America again, let it be the dream it used to be."

"I've stopped pretending to care."

"A dream will always triumph over reality, once it is given the chance."

"Humanity is waiting for something other than blind imitation of the past."

"My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

"I saw the figures of the workers as a parade of the masses, and I felt I must create art from that feeling."

"All the other folks have songs of joy and pride, but we have only the blues."