Yusef Komunyakaa Quotes
I originally wanted to embrace the imagery and forthrightness of rap music. There are some interesting, dynamic voices in rap. But I find most of it irresponsible in its overt violence and commercialization of anger. As artists, we believe we can will action through language. If that's the case, we have to take responsibility for what we say.
Quotes to Explore
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I'm saying that an editorial process that is preparing the material for publication counts as part of the inspiring process whereby God, in his sovereignty, gave every word.
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The only difference between a dead skunk lying in the road and a dead lawyer lying in the road is that there are skid marks around the skunk.
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I am blessed to have worked in big-budget films at an early stage of my career.
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All who call the Holy Ghost a creature we pity, on the ground that, by this utterance, they are falling into the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against Him.
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I started traveling by myself as early as 5 to see my dad. I'd go to Toronto or Los Angeles, depending on what show he was doing, but most often New York, and we would hang out, and he'd take me to museums and Broadway plays. The ones that had the biggest impact on me were the George C. Wolfe productions.
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I like someone who's not afraid to be a kid!
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The challenge of a cathedral is very good for architectural inventiveness.
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The first concert that my parents took me to was in this canyon in Saudi Arabia called Buttermilk Canyon. You sleep under the stars in the desert, and ex-pats - German, Swiss, Canadian, American - would play classical music that filled the whole canyon.
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We recognised Urdu as the second official language and made it a medium of examination in all Bihar Public Service Commission tests.
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I believe in my music.
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Spiritual infirmities such as tepidity are caused, not only by chills but also by fevers, that is, by excessive zeal.
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What I love about jazz is that it's full of legends, full of myths. It's an oral history because it started in New Orleans and Kansas City, under the radar.
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I'm very, very blessed.
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When people are in the midst of really heavy stuff and still have a sense of humor, I admire that.
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I used to wonder if it was God's plan that I should be alone for so much of my life. But I found peace. I found happiness within people and the world.
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Globalization is exposing new fault lines - between urban and rural communities, for example.
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I got to play with Nintendo's Wii, yes it's a funny name and not very revolutionary but it was fun whipping your arms around.
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The basic Buddhist stand on the question of equality between the genders is age-old. At the highest tantric levels, at the highest esoteric level, you must respect women: every woman.
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The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught.
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We still have a lot of work to do in American culture. More open-mindedness is happening - in some cases rapidly, in some, slowly.
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The great advantage to labor arising out of co-operative effort has been apparent to me for many years.
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A person's mere propinquity to others independently suspected of criminal activity does not give rise to probable cause to search that person.
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When I think of folk music, I think of topical songs. And I don't write topical songs.
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I originally wanted to embrace the imagery and forthrightness of rap music. There are some interesting, dynamic voices in rap. But I find most of it irresponsible in its overt violence and commercialization of anger. As artists, we believe we can will action through language. If that's the case, we have to take responsibility for what we say.
