Marian Anderson Quotes & Sayings

“When I sing, I don't want them to see that my face is black. I don't want them to see that my face is white. I want them to see my soul. And that is colorless.”

“Fear is a disease that eats away at logic and makes man inhuman.”

“Prejudice is like a hair across your cheek. You can't see it, you can't find it with your fingers, but you keep brushing at it because the feel of it is irritating.”

“Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.”

“I have a great belief in the future of my people and my country.”

“There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you.”

“You lose a lot of time, hating people.”

“None of us is responsible for the complexion of his skin. This fact of nature offers no clue to the character or quality of the person underneath.”

“A singer starts by having his instrument as a gift from God... When you have been given something in a moment of grace, it is sacrilegious to be greedy.”

“I forgave the DAR many years ago. You lose a lot of time hating people.”