30+ Countee Cullen Quotes (Inspiring, Refined And Intense)

Countee Cullen was an American poet and novelist who was a leading figure in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. He is known for his poems that explore themes of racial identity, love, and loss. His works include the 1925 volume of poetry Color and the 1926 novel One Way to Heaven.

Top 10 Countee Cullen Quotes

1. The truth is... everything counts. Everything. Everything we do and everything we say. Everything helps or hurts; everything adds to or takes away from someone else.
2. There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call 'the breaks.
3. I was reared in the conservative atmosphere of a Methodist parsonage.
4. What is Africa to me: Copper sun or scarlet sea, Jungle star or jungle track, Strong bronzed men, or regal black Women from whose loins I sprang When the birds of Eden sang?
5. The key to all strange things is in thy heart..../ My spirit has come home, that sailed the doubtful seas.
6. I have a rendezvous with life.
7. Give but a grain of the heart's rich seed, Confine some under cover, And when love goes, bid him God-speed. And find another lover.
8. Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:/ To make a poet black, and bid him sing!
9. Not for myself I make this prayer, But for this race of mine That stretches forth from shadowed places Dark hands for bread and wine.
10. All day long and all night through, One thing only must I do: Quench my pride and cool my blood, Lest I perish in the flood.

Countee Cullen Short Quotes

• Whatever lives is granted breath But by the grace and sufferance of Death.
• Lord, I fashion dark gods, too, Daring even to give You Dark despairing features
• The night whose sable breast relieves the stark, White stars, is no less lovely being dark
• The loss of love is a terrible thing; They lie who say that death is worse.
• I cut my teeth as the black raccoon-- For implements of battle.
• Ever at Thy glowing altar Must my heart grow sick and falter, Wishing He I served were black.
• We were not made to eternally weep.
• Africa? A book one thumbs Listlessly, till slumber comes.
• I doubt not God is good, well-meaning, kind
• Quaint, outlandish heathen gods Black men fashion out of rods

Countee Cullen Famous Quotes And Sayings

Never love with all your heart, It only ends in aching. — Countee Cullen

[W]e have always resented the natural inclination of most white people to demand spirituals the moment it is known that a Negro is about to sing. So often the request has seemed to savor of the feeling that we could do this and this alone. — Countee Cullen

We shall not always plant while others reap — Countee Cullen

Lord, forgive me if my need Sometimes shapes a human creed. — Countee Cullen

What is last year's snow to me, Last year's anything? The tree Budding yearly must forget How its past arose or set — Countee Cullen

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, So I make an idle boast; Jesus of the twice-turned cheek Lamb of God, although I speak With my mouth thus, in my heart Do I play a double part. — Countee Cullen

If I am going to be a poet at all, I am going to be POET and not NEGRO POET. — Countee Cullen

Dame Poverty gave me my name, And Pain godfathered me. — Countee Cullen

Death cut the strings that gave me life, And handed me to Sorrow, The only kind of middle wife My folks could beg or borrow. — Countee Cullen

My poetry has become the way of my giving out what music is within me. — Countee Cullen

Life Lessons by Countee Cullen

1. Countee Cullen's work emphasizes the importance of embracing your identity and culture, no matter the obstacles you may face.
2. His work also illustrates the power of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
3. Lastly, Cullen's work serves as a reminder that art can be used to express the joys and struggles of life, and to inspire others to strive for greatness.