Langston Hughes
(1902–1967) was an American poet, social activist, and a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. His poetry celebrates African American culture, identity, and resilience. Works like "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" reflect his powerful voice and artistic expression. Hughes’s writing spans poetry, essays, and plays, often addressing racial inequality and hope. Langston Hughes’s legacy continues to influence literature, culture, and social movements advocating equality and representation.
10 quotes in this collection. Read them below, share your favourites, or follow the related links to explore similar voices.
All quotes by Langston Hughes
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“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.”
Meaning: Life should be lived fully and creatively, embracing its beauty. -
“When people care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.”
Meaning: Love and care from others can heal emotional wounds. -
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”
Meaning: Determination and desire can lead to achieving goals. -
“An artist must be free to choose what he does.”
Meaning: Creative freedom is essential for true artistic expression. -
“I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.”
Meaning: A powerful reflection on history, heritage, and identity. -
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
Meaning: Dreams give life direction and meaning; without them, life loses purpose. -
“What happens to a dream deferred?”
Meaning: Delaying dreams can lead to frustration, loss, or transformation. -
“Humor is laughing at what you haven't got when you ought to have it.”
Meaning: Humor helps cope with lack and disappointment. -
“I swear to the Lord I still can't see why Democracy means everybody but me.”
Meaning: A critique of inequality and exclusion in society. -
“Let the rain kiss you.”
Meaning: A poetic invitation to embrace nature and simple pleasures.