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Quote by Toni Morrison

Work

Song Of Solomon

This novel delves into complex relationships and societal issues through the lens of a romantic narrative. more

Author

Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison is an American novelist known for her profound portrayal of the history and culture of African Americans. Her works often explore issues of race, gender, and identity, with her most famous novels being 'The Bluest Eye' and 'Sula'. more

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“What should we think of a stout and strong Man, that should exert his fury and barbarity on a helpless and innocent Babe? Should we not abhor and detest that man, as a mean, cowardly, and savage wretch, unworthy the stature and strength of a man? No less mean, cowardly, and savage is it, to abuse and torment the innocent Beast, who can neither help himself or avenge himself; and yet has as much right to happiness in this world as a child can have; nay, more right, if this world be his only inheritance.”

“Yes, do as you would be done by—and not to the dark man and the white woman alone, but to the sorrel horse and the gray squirrel as well; not to creatures of your own anatomy only, but to all creatures. You cannot go high enough nor low enough nor far enough to find those whose bowed and broken beings will not rise up at the coming of the kindly heart, or whose souls will not shrink and darken at the touch of inhumanity. Live and let live. Do more. Live and help live. Do to beings below you as you would be done by beings above you. Pity the tortoise, the katydid, the wild-bird, and the ox. Poor, undeveloped, untaught creatures! Into their dim and lowly lives strays of sunshine little enough, though the fell hand of man be never against them. They are our fellow-mortals. They came out of the same mysterious womb of the past, are passing through the same dream, and are destined to the same melancholy end, as we ourselves. Let us be kind and merciful to them.”

“Empath Hearts that smell the sorrow Soaks us up, but borrowed It pricks the eyes like onions' stench Instigating us to clenched Captivating eyes with a puzzled glance They know not the fear that it plants All I grasp are shards of glass I hear the sound just like the bats Broken from the world we live in History shuns any emotional whirlwind I know the moment will eventually pass The overbearing altitude The high humidity it casts Still, the spirit pulses its cry I could not ignore it, no, not I Its vibration makes such a clearing Irrational pause, so domineering Tears are a constant side effect Pouring down and making a mess I can’t form the words to comfort thee Society bans any feelings or needs With absolutes and shameful banes With no remedy or comfort gained In truth, I wish I could cure this curse To let go and escape the populace hurt But I can’t let this emotion pass Because I’m an empath”

“Alexandra Malkovic woke out of the nightmare that had bedevilled her sleep for days. She sat up, shivering, her heart thumping. For a few seconds she could not recognise her surroundings, then the outlines of the sparse furnishings of the room solidified in the faint moonlight coming through a gap in the curtains. This was her room in the house they had commandeered in Bihac, the city Tito’s Partisans had captured after a bitter battle a few weeks before Christmas – a battle in which she had played an important part. This was safety, an end to the long weeks on the march, sleeping on the hard ground, alert always to the sound of movement in the surrounding forest and the distant howling of wolves. So why could she not sleep in peace?”

“A man in a boat is crossing a river when he sees an empty boat on course to collide with him. This doesn’t make him angry even though he’s an angry person. But then he sees someone is in the boat — he calls out, telling them to change direction. When his first call gets no response, he calls out again. And when the second is also met with silence, he calls out a third time, throwing in some insults for good measure. Before, he wasn't angry — now he is. Before, the other boat was empty — now there's someone in it. When you imagine the boats empty you won’t be so angry.”

“With any other man I should have flown outright into a dreadful passion, scorned all further words, and thrust him ignominiously from my presence. But there was something about Bartleby that not only strangely disarmed me, but in a wonderful manner touched and disconcerted me”