Nikki Giovanni Quotes

I love you because no two snowflakes are alike, and it is possible, if you stand tippy-toe, to walk between the raindrops.

~ Nikki Giovanni

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

~ Nikki Giovanni

If you're a writer, the answer to everything is yes.

~ Nikki Giovanni

we used to talk all nightand do things alone togetherand i’ve begun(as a reaction to a feeling)to balancethe pleasure of lonelinessagainst the painof loving you

~ Nikki Giovanni

I'm told by my young friends that experience is much more important than books. Of course Ben Franklin had something to say about experience and fools, but even Franklin thought that a fool would learn by his experience. That has proven false in the modern world. Some people are simply unwilling to learn under any circumstances, which maybe, even then, wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so damned proud of it.

~ Nikki Giovanni

i move on feeling and have learned to distrust those who don't.

~ Nikki Giovanni

and everybody was happy that uncle lee was able to get that scholarship even though you wondered when you could do quadratic equations in your head why you had a basketball scholarship but you always knew that you had to take what they were giving since that was all you were going to get but you never fooled yourself about either the taking or the giving or the needing or the having you just sort of said to yourself I'll have to see what is being offered

~ Nikki Giovanni

The trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans. I say, the trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans.

~ Nikki Giovanni

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.

~ Nikki Giovanni

His headstone saidFREE AT LAST, FREE AT LASTBut death is a slave's freedomWe seek the freedom of free menAnd the construction of a world Where Martin Luther King could have lived and preached non-violence

~ Nikki Giovanni

It is not who you attend school with but who controls the school you attend.

~ Nikki Giovanni

The ability to take pride in your own work is one of the hallmarks of sanity.

~ Nikki Giovanni

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.

~ Nikki Giovanni

We love because it's the only true adventure.

~ Nikki Giovanni

I am totally fascinated by people and our history as I understand and continue to explore it. People have so much to give and so far to go and yet we have given and gone a great distance. It's really just interesting to ask: why not? And see where that takes me.

~ Nikki Giovanni

If now isn't a good time for the truth I don't see when we'll get to it.

~ Nikki Giovanni

Poetry and music are very good friends. Like mommies and daddies and strawberries and cream - they go together.

~ Nikki Giovanni

A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you're in and take advantage of it.

~ Nikki Giovanni

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

~ Nikki Giovanni