"I'm not religious, but I believe that what I have is a gift, and I respect it and live up to it."

"In Italy, I had an Afro, and a lot of the kids came up and felt my hair. It really was funny. I wish I had understood Italian."

"I'll think, If this is his first punch, how are the others gonna feel? That's the only fear I have for myself."

"Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities."

"In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?"

"One ever feels his twoness - an American, a Negro two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder."

"In the summer you want fresh, light and sort of quick things; in winter you want things that are comforting, so your body really tells you you want to go towards potatoes, apples, fennel, things that are warm and comforting. And loin of pork."

"Everyone should have health insurance? I say everyone should have health care. I'm not selling insurance."