The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens. -Alexis de Tocqueville

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Good people are not that good. To tell the truth, if I were white, no matter how much I loved Negroes, I doubt that I would submit myself to Jim Crow living conditions just to prove my love.” “Neither would I,” said Simple. “Then you would not be very good, either.” “No,” said Simple, “but I would be white. ― Langston Hughes

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The prerequisite for writing is having something to say. ― Langston Hughes

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My soul has grown deep like the rivers. ― Langston Hughes

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Then it was that books began to happen to me, and I began to believe in nothing but books and the wonderful world in books-- where if people suffered, they suffered in beautiful language, not in monosyllables as we did in Kansas. ― Langston Hughes

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I will not take ‘but’ for an answer. ― Langston Hughes

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I was unhappy for a long time, and very lonesome, living with my grandmother. Then it was that books began to happen to me, and I began to believe in nothing but books and the wonderful world in books — where if people suffered, they suffered in beautiful language, not in monosyllables, as we did in Kansas. ― Langston Hughes

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Just because I loves you– That's de reason why Ma soul is full of color Like de wings of a butterfly. Just because I loves you That's de reason why Ma heart's a fluttering aspen leaf When you pass by. ― Langston Hughes

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I look at my own body With eyes no longer blind— And I see that my own hands can make The world that’s in my mind. Then let us hurry, comrades, The road to find. ― Langston Hughes

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But was that why Negroes were poor, because they were dancers, jazzers, clowns? . . . The other way round would be better: dancers because of their poverty; singers because they suffered; laughing all the time because they must forget.... It’s more like that, thought Sandy. ― Langston Hughes,

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