Quotes from Langston Hughes

I stay cool, and dig all jive, That's the way I stay alive. My motto, as I live and learn, is Dig and be dug In return.

This is the mountain standing in the way of any true Negro art in America—this urge within the race toward whiteness, the desire to pour racial individuality into the mold of American standardization, and to be as little Negro and as much American as possible.

Beauty for some provides escape, who gain a happiness in eyeing the gorgeous buttocks of the ape or Autumn sunsets exquisitely dying.

I've known rivers:I've known rivers ancient as the world and olderthan the flow of human blood in human veins.My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves.

As I learn from you,I guess you learn from me—although you're older—and white—and somewhat more free.

Listen, Christ,You did alright in your day, I reckon—But that day's gone now.They ghosted you up a swell story, too,Called it Bible—But it's dead now.

I swear to the Lord I still can't see Why Democracy means Everybody but me.

Humor is laughing at what you haven't got when you ought to have it.

I got the Weary BluesAnd I can't be satisfied.

I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank.

I, too, sing America.I am the darker brother.

O, let America be America again—The land that never has been yet—

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

There's never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this 'homeland of the free.

Cheap little rhymes A cheap little tune Are sometimes as dangerous As a sliver of the moon.

Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think I suffer after I have held my pain So long? Because my mouth Is wide with laughter You do not hear My inner cry? Because my feet Are gay with dancing You do not know I die?

I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.

When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.

Negroes Sweet and docile, Meek, humble, and kind: Beware the day They change their minds! Wind In the cotton fields, Gentle breeze: Beware the hour It uproots trees!

The Dream Keeper Bring me all of your dreams, You dreamer, Bring me all your Heart melodies That I may wrap them In a blue cloud-cloth Away from the too-rough fingers Of the world.

Believing everything she read In the daily news, (No in-between to choose) She thought that only One side won, Not that BOTH Might lose.

LIBERTY! FREEDOM! DEMOCRACY! True anyhow no matter how many Liars use those words.

How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water To be so still that way. ~ "Sea Calm