Some of us would be greatly astonished to learn the reasons why others respect us.

The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.

No man has any natural authority over his fellow man.

The misfortune of the man of color is having been enslaved. The misfortune and inhumanity of the white man are having killed man somewhere.

One of the most time-consuming things is to have an enemy.

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own thoughts, unguarded.

There are chance meetings with strangers that interest us from the first moment, before a word is spoken.

It’s good to remember that in crises, natural crises, human beings forget for a while their ignorances, their biases, their prejudices. For a little while, neighbors help neighbors and strangers help strangers.

Patriotism is an ephemeral motive that scarcely ever outlasts the particular threat to society that aroused it.

Strangers are an endangered species.

Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them.

Such then is the human state, that to wish greatness for one’s country is to wish harm to one’s neighbors.