I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Quotes

The world had taken a deep breath and was having doubts about continuing to revolve.

Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.

Few, if any, survive their teens. Most surrender to the vague but murderous pressure of adult conformity.

The intensity with which young people live demands that they “blank out” as often as possible.

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,- When he beats his bars and would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core, But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings- I know why the caged bird sings!

I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God’s will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility at commensurate speed.

Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the Principle of Reverse.

My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy.

Of all the needs (there are none imaginary) a lonely child has, the one that must be satisfied, if there is going to be hope and a hope of wholeness, is the unshaking need for an unshakable God. My pretty Black brother was my Kingdom Come.

But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core.

At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance, especially if one had no choice.

Without willing it, I had gone from being ignorant of being ignorant to being aware of being aware. And the worst part of my awareness was that I didn’t know what I was aware of. I knew I knew very little, but I was certain that the things I had yet to learn wouldn’t be taught to me at George Washington High School.

My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors.

In Stamps the segregation was so complete that most Black children didn’t really, absolutely know what whites looked like.

She comprehended the perversity of life, that in the struggle lies the joy.

Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise.

If you’re for the right thing, you do it without thinking.