All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise, they would not be worshiped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshiped in wine and flowers. Real gods require blood.

— Zora Neale Hurston

All the people took it up and sung it over and over until it was wrung dry, and no further innovations of tone and tempo were conceivable. Then they hushed and ate barbecue.

— Zora Neale Hurston

And I can't die easy thinking maybe the menfolks white or black is making a spit cup out of you. Have some sympathy for me. Put me down easy, Janie, I'm a cracked plate.

— Zora Neale Hurston

An envious heart makes a treacherous ear. They're done 'heard' bout you just what they hope done happened.

— Zora Neale Hurston

A thing is mighty big when time and distance cannot shrink it.

— Zora Neale Hurston

Faith has got no eyes but she's long-legged.

— Zora Neale Hurston

For the first time she could see a man's head naked of its skull. Saw the cunning thoughts race in and out through the caves and promontories of his mind long before they darted through the tunnel of his mouth.

— Zora Neale Hurston

Grab the broom of anger and drive off the beast of fear.

— Zora Neale Hurston

Grown people know that they do not always know the way of things, and even if they think they know, they do not know where and how they got the proof.

— Zora Neale Hurston

He has only heard what I felt.

— Zora Neale Hurston