Nikki Giovanni’s Inspiring and Provocative Quotes

Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts.

We love because it’s the only true adventure.

I am so hip even my errors are correct.

I was born to catch dragons in their dens and pick flowers. To tell tales and laugh away the morning.

We write because we believe the human spirit cannot be tamed and should not be trained.

If you don’t understand yourself you don’t understand anybody else.

Some say we are responsible for those we love. Others know we are responsible for those who love us.

The idea of infinity cannot be expressed in words or even described, but it can be apprehended through art.

When you are skinning your customers, you should leave some skin on to grow again so that you can skin them again.

We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory.

Poetry is a conversation with the world.

Style has a profound meaning to black Americans. If we can?t drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we can?t have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are.

Don?t ask me if I?m crazy, ask me if I care.

Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts. – Nikki Giovanni

Poetry is rhythm. – Nikki Giovanni

We love because it’s the only true adventure. – Nikki Giovanni

I am so hip even my errors are correct. – Nikki Giovanni

Black love is Black wealth. – Nikki Giovanni

We write because we believe the human spirit cannot be tamed and should not be trained. – Nikki Giovanni

The idea of true friendship is a feeling of unexplainable comfort. – Nikki Giovanni

Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste. – Nikki Giovanni

The ability to take pleasure from light is a sign of spiritual superiority. – Nikki Giovanni

We are better than we think and not quite what we want to be. – Nikki Giovanni

Sometimes, the best person to do the job is the one who will stop at nothing to get the job done. – Nikki Giovanni

I really don’t think life is about being a winner – it’s about being gentle and giving love. – Nikki Giovanni

Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying. – Nikki Giovanni

If you don’t understand yourself, you don’t understand anybody else. – Nikki Giovanni

When you are skinning your customers, you should leave some skin on to grow so that you can skin them again. – Nikki Giovanni

Jealousy is love turned into a watchdog. – Nikki Giovanni

Writing is a conversation with reading; a dialogue with thinking. – Nikki Giovanni

Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I’ll rise. – Nikki Giovanni

There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. – Nikki Giovanni

The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege. – Nikki Giovanni

Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.

We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.

I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.

We love because it’s the only true adventure.

If you don’t understand yourself you don’t understand anybody else.

Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying.

The only reason you should be in college is to destroy it.

Some say we are responsible for those we love. Others know we are responsible for those who love us.

Deal with yourself as an individual, worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way.

Writing is a communication tool, not a badge.

Black love is black wealth.

Love is such a wonderful thing. You look at each other and you feel the tingling. And it’s all so wonderful you know you’re gonna explode. But you don’t explode. You get real calm.

I don’t believe in failure. It’s not failure if you enjoyed the process.

I’m not lonely. I’m alone. But I’m not lonely. I like me.

There’re two people in the world that are not likeable: a master and a slave.

Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste.

The world is not a pleasant place to be without someone to hold and be held by.

We must remember that a woman has a right to be silent when she wishes, and it is a gross discourtesy to question her.

One should always be drunk. That’s all that matters… But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you choose. But get drunk.