The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.

Quote by Toni Morrison

Topics: Writers Quotes

If you're going to hold someone down you're going to have to hold on by...

If you're going to hold someone down you're going to have to hold on by...

There is really nothing more to say-except why. But since why is difficult to handle,...

There is really nothing more to say-except why. But since why is difficult to handle,...

Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.

Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.

Black people have always been used as a buffer in this country between powers to...

Black people have always been used as a buffer in this country between powers to...

All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where...

All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where...

When there is pain, there are no words. All pain is the same.

When there is pain, there are no words. All pain is the same.

The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange...

The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange...

I'm not entangled in shaping my work according to other people's views of how I...

I'm not entangled in shaping my work according to other people's views of how I...

There is nothing of any consequence in education, in the economy, in city planning, in...

There is nothing of any consequence in education, in the economy, in city planning, in...

Black boys became criminalized. I was in constant dread for their lives, because they were...

Black boys became criminalized. I was in constant dread for their lives, because they were...

In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.

In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.

You need a whole community to raise a child. I have raised two children, alone.

You need a whole community to raise a child. I have raised two children, alone.

I get angry about things, then go on and work.

I get angry about things, then go on and work.

It's been mentioned or suggested that Paradise will not be well studied, because it's about...

It's been mentioned or suggested that Paradise will not be well studied, because it's about...

Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.

Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not...

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not...

You marvel at the economy and this choice of words. How many ways can you...

You marvel at the economy and this choice of words. How many ways can you...

Nelson Mandela is, for me, the single statesman in the world. The single statesman, in...

Nelson Mandela is, for me, the single statesman in the world. The single statesman, in...

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet,...

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet,...

If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.

If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.