More - James A. Baldwin Quotes

Fires can't be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns even labor into pleasant tasks.

James A. Baldwin

 American Author Enthusiasm

Society is held together by our need; we bind it together with legend, myth, coercion, fearing that without it we will be hurled into that void, within which, like the earth before the Word was spoken, the foundations of society are hidden.

James A. Baldwin

 Society

It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.

James A. Baldwin

 Ignorance

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone... they will be forced to deal with pain.

James A. Baldwin

 Hate

Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck -- but, most of all, endurance.

James A. Baldwin

 Discipline

The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose.

James A. Baldwin

 American Author Creation

There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.

James A. Baldwin

 Present

Every legend, moreover, contains its residuum of truth, and the root function of language is to control the universe by describing it.

James A. Baldwin

 American Author Control

The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.

James A. Baldwin

 Ambition Glory

People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.

James A. Baldwin

 American Author History