Claude McKay Quotations

Idealism is like a castle in the air if it is not based on a solid foundation of social and political realism.

If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything.

Nations, like plants and human beings, grow. And if the development is thwarted they are dwarfed and overshadowed.

Upon the clothes behind the tenement, That hang like ghosts suspended from the lines, Linking each flat, but to each indifferent, Incongruous and strange the moonlight shines.

I have forgotten much, but still remember The poinsiana's red, blood-red in warm December.

Adventure-seasoned and storm-buffeted, I shun all signs of anchorage, because The zest of life exceeds the bound of laws.

Deep in the secret chambers of my heart I muse my life-long hate, and without flinch I bear it nobly as I live my part.

If we must die, O let us nobly die.

The shivering birds beneath the eaves Have sheltered for the night.

And, hungry for the old, familiar ways, I turned aside and bowed my head and wept.

It's when you are down that you learn about your faults.

We are like trees. We wear all colors naturally.

If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot, If we must die, O let us nobly die.

I know the dark delight of being strange, The penalty of difference in the crowd, The loneliness of wisdom among fools...

Human dignity is more precious than prestige....

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,/ And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth,/ Stealing my breath of life, I will confess/ I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!