» The original ''crime'' of ''niggers'' and lesbians is that they prefer themselves.
» Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise.
» She say, Celie, tell the truth, have you ever found God in church? I never did. I just found a bunch of folks hoping for him to show. Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God.
» It is healthier, in any case, to write for the adults one's children will become than for the children one's ''mature'' critics often are.
» Never be the only one, except, possibly, in your own home.
» It no longer bothers me that I may be constantly searching for father figures; by this time, I have found several and dearly enjoyed knowing them all.
» For in the end, freedom is a personal and lonely battle; and one faces down fears of today so that those of tomorrow might be engaged.
» No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.
» The experience of God, or in any case the possibility of experiencing God, is innate.
» Somewhere in the bible it say Jesus hair was like lamb's wool, I say. Well, say Shug, if he came to any of these churches we talking bout he'd have to have it conked before anybody paid him any attention. The last thing niggers want to think about they God is that his hair kinky.