It was the experience of mystery - even if mixed with fear - that engendered religion.

I think people had somehow gotten the sense that we have explored everything, when that isn't the case. We so know so little about the ocean, and so much of it is being destroyed.

We may stumble and fall but shall rise again; it should be enough if we did not run away from the battle.

I do not believe in immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it.  

Many interviewers when they come to talk to me, think they're being progressive by not mentioning in their stories any longer that I'm black. I tell them, 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it.'

It is better to deal with wrongs immediately than to postpone your action till it snowballs into something big.

Whenever there is coercion it is better to vanish things. And if you're stronger than you should help the weaker ones.

There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.

I'd say it's been my biggest problem all my life... it's money. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Force always attracts men of low morality.

Sabotage did not involve loss of life, and it offered the best hope for future race relations. Bitterness would be kept to a minimum and, if the policy bore fruit, democratic government could become a reality.