Alice Walker Quotes

Alice Walker Quotes

Alice Walker, a prolific writer and activist, has provided a wealth of quotes that reflect her deep insights into human experience and social justice. Here are some notable quotes by Alice Walker:

I love us so incredibly, insanely deeply; it’s almost unbearable to see what we do to ourselves.

Alice Walker expresses the deep emotional pain she feels witnessing the self-destructive behaviours often exhibited by people.

Her words convey a strong sense of empathy and sorrow about the unnecessary suffering humans inflict on themselves. It suggests a need for greater self-awareness and kindness within the human community.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.

Alice Walker emphasizes the crucial importance of personal belief in one’s power. She suggests that by believing they lack energy, individuals essentially surrender it. This highlights the importance of self-belief in empowerment.

No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.

Walker underscores the value of growth and expression in friendships, asserting that a true friend should support, not stifle, personal development and freedom.

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.

In this quote from her novel The Color Purple, Walker suggests that appreciating the beauty of the natural world is essential, and to ignore it is almost an offence to its Creator.

The most important question in the world is, ‘Why is the child crying?’

This quote reveals Walker’s focus on empathy and caring, suggesting that understanding the cause of a child’s distress is vital to addressing broader human issues.

Hard times require furious dancing. Each of us is proof.

Walker suggests that joy and resilience, symbolized here by dancing, are necessary responses to adversity, emphasizing the strength found in joyous expression even in difficult times.

Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.

Here, Walker advises a mindset of openness without specific expectations, encouraging an appreciation for life’s unpredictability and the joys that can come from unexpected moments.

The nature of this flower is to bloom.

With this metaphor, Walker reflects on potential and natural beauty, implying that just like a flower, every person has an inherent nature that should be allowed to flourish.

People do not wish to appear foolish; to avoid the appearance of foolishness, they are willing to remain actually fools.

Walker critiques the human tendency to avoid embarrassment at the cost of personal growth, suggesting that fear of seeming foolish can prevent genuine learning and wisdom.

Look closely at the present you are constructing: it should look like the future you are dreaming.

This quote encourages mindfulness about the present as a foundation for the future, advocating for active participation in shaping one’s life to align with one’s hopes and dreams.

Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.

Walker links creating beauty to spiritual and internal renewal, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between external creation and internal well-being.

Resistance is the secret of joy.

This thought asserts that finding joy often requires resistance against external pressures or difficulties, emphasizing the empowerment of standing up for oneself.

Activism is my rent for living on the planet.

Walker frames activism as a duty or payment for her place on Earth, highlighting her view of social justice work as a fundamental responsibility.

Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence.

She credits writing as a powerful tool for expression that provided her an alternative to violence, underscoring the cathartic and constructive power of the written word.

I have learned not to worry about love; but to honor its coming with all my heart.

Walker speaks to the unpredictability of love, advising a welcoming, open-hearted approach to love’s appearances and departures in life.

Be nobody’s darling; Be an outcast. Take the contradictions of your life and wrap around you like a shawl, to parry stones, to keep you warm.

This quote encourages embracing individuality and using one’s unique experiences as a source of strength and protection against societal judgment and pressures.

The experience of God, or in any case the possibility of experiencing God, is innate.

Alice Walker touches on spirituality by suggesting that the capacity to experience or connect with God is a natural part of being human.

This statement encourages individuals to explore their spiritual depths and acknowledge their intrinsic connection to the divine.

I never talk about my next project.

In this simple declaration, Walker emphasizes the importance of privacy and focus in her creative process. She does not discuss future works to maintain the creative space and mystery surrounding her projects.

It allows her the freedom to develop them without external expectations or pressures.

Well, I think indigenous peoples have ways of living on the Earth that they’ve had forever. And they’ve been overrun by organized religion, which has had a lot of money and power.

Walker highlights the conflict between indigenous cultural practices and the imposition of organized religious systems.

She points out indigenous communities’ historical and ongoing struggles to preserve their traditions in the face of dominant cultural forces.

You bring children into the world. You love them with heart and soul.

This quote underscores the deep emotional commitment involved in raising children. Walker speaks to the profound bond and responsibility parents feel.

It advocates for a nurturing, wholehearted approach to child-rearing filled with love and dedication.

Part of my ancestry is Cherokee. And in that tradition, you become an adult when you’re 52.

Walker shares a personal insight into her Cherokee heritage, noting a specific cultural perspective on adulthood.

This statement reflects the diversity of cultural norms regarding age and maturity, contrasting with more commonly held views and celebrating the unique traditions of her ancestors.