Langston Hughes Quotes: Inspiring Life’s Vibrance and Wisdom
Last updated on January 18th, 2024 at 10:18 am
“Langston Hughes” by “Jack Delano“, licensed under “CC0 1.0“
Enter the world of Langston Hughes, a literary luminary whose words resonate with profound insight, inspiration, and a deep understanding of the human experience. This collection of quotes by Langston Hughes spans his remarkable body of work, encompassing not only his famous quotes but also those that delve into life’s intricacies and inspire us to reach for greater heights.
Quotes By Langston Hughes
These quotes are the echoes of his most celebrated works, offering a glimpse into the brilliance that made him a literary icon. A testament to the enduring power of his words. They capture the essence of his poetry, prose, and plays, resonating with themes of equality, justice, and the universal human experience.
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
From the poem “Dreams” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”
From the poem “Harlem” (also known as “A Dream Deferred”)
“I swear to the Lord, I still can’t see, why Democracy means, everybody but me.”
From the poem “Democracy” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.”
From the poem “Life Is Fine” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“The night is beautiful, So the faces of my people.”
From the poem “The Night is Beautiful” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.”
LANGSTON HUGHES
“I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.”
From the poem “I, Too” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I’m dead. I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.”
From the poem “Freedom’s Plow” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“My seeking has been to explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America and obliquely that of all human kind.”
From Langston Hughes’ essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain.”
– From the poem “Dreams” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
Langston Hughes Famous Quotes
These quotes are the echoes of his most celebrated works, offering a glimpse into the brilliance that made him a literary icon. A testament to the enduring power of his words. They capture the essence of his poetry, prose, and plays, resonating with themes of equality, justice, and the universal human experience.
“I look at the world from awakening eyes in a black face — and this is what I see: This fenced-off narrow space assigned to me.”
From the poem “My People” in “The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes.”
“Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”
From the poem “Mother to Son” in “The Weary Blues.”
“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air, and you.”
From “The Langston Hughes Reader.”
“I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn’t, So I jumped in and sank.”
From the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” in “The Weary Blues.”
“Negroes – Sweet and docile, Meek, humble, and kind: Beware the day – They change their mind.”
From the poem “Cultural Exchange” in “The Panther & the Lash: Poems of Our Times.”
“Books -where if people suffered, they suffered in beautiful language, not in monosyllables, as we did in Kansas”
I Wonder as I Wander: An Autobiographical Journey, 1956
“My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”
The Negro Speaks of Rivers, 1920
“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.”
LANGSTON HUGHES
– The Big Sea, 1940
Langston Hughes Quotes About Life
These quotes serve as beacons of wisdom in navigating life’s twists and turns. Hughes had a remarkable ability to distill life’s complexities into words that touch the heart and illuminate the path forward. They reflect on the challenges, joys, and tribulations that define the human journey.
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”
By Langston Hughes writings.
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid“
From the poem “Life Is Fine,” which is part of his collection “The Weary Blues.”
“Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.”
From the essay titled “The Big Sea,” published in 1940.
“So since I’m still here living, I guess I will live on. I could’ve died for love– But for living’ I was born.”
From the poem “Montage of a Dream Deferred,” published in 1951.
“O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath. But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.”
From Poem titled “Let America Be America Again.” Written in 1935
“Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.”
From the collection titled “The Weary Blues,” published in 1926
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”
By Langston Hughes writings.
“Life is a big sea full of many fish. I let down my nets and pulled. I’m still pulling.”
From Autobiography titled “The Big Sea,” published in 1940.
“The rhythm of life is a jazz rhythm.”
From Autobiography titled “The Big Sea,” published in 1940.
By Langston Hughes writings.
Langston Hughes Inspirational Quotes
The motivational force that propels us to dream, to persevere, and to overcome. These quotes are a reminder that no matter the obstacles, we can rise above them. Hughes believed in the power of hope and resilience, and his words inspire us to push beyond our limits and strive for greatness.
“Keep your hand on the plow. Hold on.”
From poem titled “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” published in 1921
“The only way to get a thing done is to start to do it, then keep on doing it, and finally you’ll finish it.”
By Langston Hughes writings.
“Reach Up Your Hand and take a star.”
From poem titled “Personal.” published in 1994.
“Blues had the pulse beat of the people who keep on going.”
From “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” published in The Nation magazine in 1926.
“When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.”
By Langston Hughes writings.
“Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.”
Poem titled “The Dream Keeper and Other Poems,” published in 1932.
“There is a dream in the land. With its back against the wall. To save the dream for one, it must be saved for all.”
From his poem “The Ballad of Roosevelt,”
“An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.”
From “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” published in The Nation magazine in 1926.
“I’m so tired of waiting, aren’t you, for the world to become good and beautiful and kind?”
From “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” published in The Nation magazine in 1926.
From poem titled “Good Morning, Revolution,” published in 1951.
Within these quotes, you’ll find the voice of a poet who dared to dream, a writer who confronted injustice, and a visionary who believed in the power of art to change the world. They are more than words on a page; they are a testament to the enduring legacy of Langston Hughes.
In conclusion, these quotes by Langston Hughes are a testament to the enduring power of words and the indomitable spirit of the human soul. Hughes, through his literary genius, has left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. His famous quotes remind us of the importance of justice, equality, and the pursuit of our dreams.
Nitesh Kucchal
Nitesh Kuchhal, an IIM Calcutta graduate, is more than an educator—he's a mentor. With a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and travel. He has explored over 20 countries. Beyond teaching, he dives into psychology and discusses social issues. Though he is not a history expert, he enjoys learning about it through books, adding a historical touch to his many interests.
