Toni Morrison Quotes - Page 10

I think there's data, and then there's information that comes from data, and then there's knowledge that comes from information. And then, after knowledge, there is wisdom. I am interested in how to get from data to wisdom.

A dead hydrangea is as intricate and lovely as one in bloom. Bleak sky is as seductive as sunshine, miniature orange trees without blossom or fruit are not defective; they are that.

Evil is so seductive. It needs to grind you up and make you its slave.

To get to a place where you could love anything you chose--not to need permission for desire--well now _that_ was freedom.

Shallow believers prefer a shallow God.

Would it be all right? Would it be all right to go ahead and feel? Go ahead and count on something?

In Tar Baby, the classic concept of the individual with a solid, coherent identity is eschewed for a model of identity which sees the individual as a kaleidoscope of heterogeneous impulses and desires, constructed from multiple forms of interaction with the world as a play of difference that cannot be completely comprehended.

The habit of getting up early, which I had formed when the children were young, now became my choice. I am not very bright or very witty or very inventive after the sun goes down.

I don't do the things other people call "play."

Along with the idea of romantic love, she was introduced to another - physical beauty. Probably the most destructive ideas in the history of human thought. Both originated in envy, thrived in insecurity, and ended in disillusion.

To be given dominion over another is a hard thing; to wrest dominion over another is a wrong thing; to give dominion of yourself to another is a wicked thing.

Not knowing it was hard; knowing it was harder

I think some aspects of writing can be taught. Obviously, you can't teach vision or talent. But you can help with comfort.

It had been the longest time since she had had a rib-scraping laugh. She had forgotten how deep and down it could be. So different from the miscellaneous giggles and smiles she had learned to be content with these past few years.

I wish I’d a knowed more people. I would of loved ‘em all. If I’d a knowed more, I would a loved more

The formula for creative writing in high school or college is write what you know. And I said they don't know nothing. Imagine something. Do you know what it's like to be a Madame in Paris, when you're too old to have any clients. No, you don't. I don't either. Write about it.

Certain seeds it will not nurture, certain fruit it will not bear and when the land kills of its own volition, we acquiesce and say the victim had no right to live

I would solve a lot of literary problems just thinking about a character in the subway, where you can't do anything anyway.

I type in one place, but I write all over the house.

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

I have a lot of respect for readers because I'm a reader. That's how I got into writing.

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Language alone protects us from the scariness of things with no names. Language alone is meditation.

Political doesn't necessarily mean you have an agenda.

Lonely was much better than alone.