129 Quotes by Alex Haley

The main thing you got to remember is that everything in the world is a hustle.

My parents were teachers and they went out of their way to see to it that I had books. We grew up in a home that was full of books. And so I learned to read. I loved to read.

Never completely encircle your enemy. Leave him some escape, for he will fight even more desperately if trapped.

I certainly wasn't seeking any degree, the way a college confers a status symbol upon its students. My homemade education gave me, with every additional book that I read, a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America. Not long ago, an English writer telephoned me, asking questions. One was, "What's your alma mater?" I told him, "Books.

The way to succeed is never quit. Thats it. But really be humble about it.

I travel a lot. It used to be, when I would go to any country, I could guarantee that the first question would establish my name, and the fact that I've written Roots, and the third question, at least no later than the fourth question would not be a question, so much as a statement, something like, "We understand that in America white people do such and such bad things to black people."

When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand.

Beginning writers must appreciate the prerequisites if they hope to become writers. You pay your dues - which takes years.

The anti-blackness has generated new forms of youth involvement in anti-whiteness, which in some cases is appalling.