It is a struggle; for though the black man fights passively, he nevertheless fights; and his passive resistance is more effective at present than active resistance could possibly be. He bears the fury of the storm as does the willow…

Quote by James Weldon Johnson

Topics: James Weldon Johnson Quotes

And so for a couple of years my life was divided between my music and...

And so for a couple of years my life was divided between my music and...

My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime,...

My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime,...

The Southern whites are in many respects a great people. Looked at from a certain...

The Southern whites are in many respects a great people. Looked at from a certain...

My luck at the gambling table was varied; sometimes I was fifty to a hundred...

My luck at the gambling table was varied; sometimes I was fifty to a hundred...

Young man, young man, your arm's too short to box with God.

Young man, young man, your arm's too short to box with God.

Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race;...

Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race;...

As yet, the Negroes themselves do not fully appreciate these old slave songs.

As yet, the Negroes themselves do not fully appreciate these old slave songs.

When we arrived in London, my sadness at leaving Paris was turned into despair. After...

When we arrived in London, my sadness at leaving Paris was turned into despair. After...

The peculiar fascination which the South held over my imagination and my limited capital decided...

The peculiar fascination which the South held over my imagination and my limited capital decided...

Any musical person who has never heard a Negro congregation under the spell of religious...

Any musical person who has never heard a Negro congregation under the spell of religious...

She was my first love, and I loved her as only a boy loves.

She was my first love, and I loved her as only a boy loves.

Americans are immensely popular in Paris; and this is not due solely to the fact...

Americans are immensely popular in Paris; and this is not due solely to the fact...

I believe it to be a fact that the colored people of this country know...

I believe it to be a fact that the colored people of this country know...

Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the...

Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the...

Washington shows the Negro not only at his best, but also at his worst.

Washington shows the Negro not only at his best, but also at his worst.

In Berlin I especially enjoyed the orchestral concerts, and I attended a large number of...

In Berlin I especially enjoyed the orchestral concerts, and I attended a large number of...

I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and...

I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and...

My mother was kept very busy with her sewing; sometimes she would have another woman...

My mother was kept very busy with her sewing; sometimes she would have another woman...

Southern white people despise the Negro as a race, and will do nothing to aid...

Southern white people despise the Negro as a race, and will do nothing to aid...

You are young, gifted, and Black. We must begin to tell our young, There's a...

You are young, gifted, and Black. We must begin to tell our young, There's a...