Quotes from Alice Walker

Sighing, Irene said, Why is it that we can love so much that which only makes us cry? Susannah thought for only a moment, and then, with certainty, she said: Because it is that which calls us home to the heart.

She noticed that other girls were falling in love, getting married. It seemed to produce a state of euphoria in them. She became unsure that her own way of living was as pleasant as she thought it was. It seemed to have an aimlessness to it that did not lead anywhere. Day followed day, and the calm level of her pleasures as a single woman remained constant. Certainly she never reached euphoria. And she wanted euphoria to add to the other good feelings she had.

Tashi's mother and father were just here. They are upset because she spends so much time with Olivia. She is changing, becoming quiet and too thoughtful, they say. She is becoming someone else; her face is beginning to show the spirit of one of her aunts who was sold to the trader because she no longer fit into village life. This aunt refused to marry the man chosen for her. Refused to bow to the chief. Did nothing but lay up, crack cola nuts between her teeth and giggle.

I think it pisses God off it you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it. - The Color Purple

And there was no entertainment for them at night. They were too poor to own a television set. But they seemed content. Truman with his sculpting and building the recreation center. Lynne writing poems occasionally, reading them to her friends, then tearing them up.

All my life I had to fight... But I never thought I'd have to fight in my own house... I loves Harpo, she say. God knows I do. But I'll kill him dead before I let him beat me.

Of what was plastic made? What died? He knew it was a product of petroleum, of oil, and so he assumed plastic was made out of the very lifeblood of the planet. When all the oil was drained, he imagined the planet quaking and shrinking in on itself, like a squeezed orange that has been sucked to death. He

Remember this-- say it & know it is true: Alice loves me Alice loves me and I am not blamed for this. ... she knows-- & keeps the record that this unspeakable violation of all of us so briefly human is happening to me.

From paradise to paradise I go sweeping; collecting rocks & views; owning nothing but what I feel.

I believe God is everything, say Shug. Everything that is or ever was or ever will be. And when you can feel that, and be happy to feel that, you've found It. Shug a beautiful something

I think she thought she love him. But he got so many of us. All needing somethin'.

Ahora procuro que mi corazón aprenda a no desear lo que no puede tener.

Trying to believe his story kilt her.

You know, he say, you use to remind me of a bird. Way back when you first come to live with me. You was so skinny, Lord, he say. And the least little thing happen, you looked about to fly away.

Let us bring our attention to George's mother. She who came, weeping, and picked up the shattered pieces of her child, as black mothers have done for so long.

I think us here to wonder, myself. To wonder. To ask. And that in wondering bout the big things and asking bout the big things, you learn about the little ones, almost by accident. But you never know nothing more about the big things than you start out with. The more I wonder, he say, the more I love. And people start to love you back, I bet, I say. They do, he say, surprise.

I never dreamed I would so enjoy having a father. It is like having another interesting mind, somewhat similar to your own but also strangely different, to rummage through.

Quién soy yo para decirle a quién ha de querer? Lo mío es querer y nada más.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any

Now. Is this life or not? I be so calm. If she come, I be happy. If she don't, I be content.

We have had many lifetimes as human beings to learn of the many, many ways we do not wish to be.' 'But we're human,' she said 'and therefore we already are every way there is.' 'That's true,' he said 'but there is still a bit of room for choice, which is why it is worthwhile to remain in contact with your ancestors.

Cuando la miras a los ojos, te das cuenta de que ha estado donde ha estado y ha visto lo que ha visto y ha hecho lo que ha hecho. Y que ahora sabe.

be aware that the other children of the world are your responsibility as well. You must learn to see them, to feel them, as yours. Until you do, there is no way you can make your own child feel safe.

And you know how some whitefolks is, won't let well enough alone. If they want to bad enough, they gon harass a blessing from you if it kill.