Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.

Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.

We will sometimes have defeats in life but you can have defeats without being defeated, you could fail without being a failure. When you see failure and defeats as merely part of the process to get to when.

If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?

I do not trust people who don't love themselves and yet tell me, 'I love you.' There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'.

When you know better you do better.

You can never be great at anything unless you love it.

In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

Love heals. Heals and liberates. I use the word love, not meaning sentimentality, but a condition so strong that it may be that which holds the stars in their heavenly positions and that which causes the blood to flow orderly in our veins.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.

The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education.

I sustain myself with the love of family.

When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that's me.

I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.

Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.

You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!

Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.

People will never forget how you made them feel.