I woke up on May 15 1991 the day of my Barnard graduation and I said to myself 'By the end of today you will decide what you want to do with the rest of your life.'

I took three years off. I differentiated myself from the industry. Found my identity - sort of... I haven't graduated yet. I'm not legitimately educated yet but maybe one day.

Pretty much at all times music motivates me. How can I say this without sounding in any way proud of myself? Obviously I've always written songs that are critical of our government and talk about our times. Hopefully you attempt to be timeless while doing it.

I want the government to provide the military so we don't get invaded by somebody and destroyed. I want the government to provide the roads so I can get from point A to B. In terms of taking care of my day to day needs I want to do that myself. I want my community to do that.

I pinch myself because of the understanding that I've been blessed with a real rare opportunity that few Americans ever get - to serve their government and their people at this level.

In the inner city there's a mentality that the government owes you something. My breakthrough came when I stopped feeling sorry for myself and took responsibility for every part of my life. No more pity parties. I've gotta love me more than anybody else loves me.

I feel beautiful when I'm at peace with myself. When I'm serene when I'm a good person when I've been considerate of others.

I used to work in a funeral home to feel good about myself just the fact that I was breathing.

Henceforth I ask not good fortune. I myself am good fortune.

It's not vanity to feel you have a right to be beautiful. Women are taught to feel we're not good enough that we must live up to someone else's standards. But my aim is to cherish myself as I am.

I don't look to a man to get pride in myself. It's not about having a black president it's about having a good president and I think that's the most important thing.

I surround myself with positive productive people of good will and decency.

I question myself every day. That's what I still find motivating about this. I don't have the answers I don't pretend that I do just because I won the match. Just keep fighting and maybe something good happens.

There is an idea abroad among moral people that they should make their neighbors good. One person I have to make good: Myself. But my duty to my neighbor is much more nearly expressed by saying that I have to make him happy if I may.

Everyone has highs and lows that they have to learn from but every morning I start off with a good head on my shoulders saying to myself 'It's going to be a good day!'.

I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.

I look only to the good qualities of men. Not being faultless myself I won't presume to probe into the faults of others.

If I am walking with two other men each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself.

When did I realize I was God? Well I was praying and I suddenly realized I was talking to myself.

I am God's vessel. But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live.

God has entrusted me with myself.

The first step toward finding God Who is Truth is to discover the truth about myself: and if I have been in error this first step to truth is the discovery of my error.

God's mercy and grace give me hope - for myself and for our world.

I do not know myself and God forbid that I should.