Author: James Weldon Johnson

Quotes

Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the city of canals; it had never entered my mind that I should find similar conditions in a Dutch town.

Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the city of canals; it had never entered my mind that I should find similar conditions in a Dutch town.

- James Weldon Johnson

My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime, which was then at the height of its vogue, made me a welcome guest.

My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime, which was then at the height of its vogue, made me a welcome guest.

- James Weldon Johnson

There are a great many colored people who are ashamed of the cake-walk, but I think they ought to be proud of it.

There are a great many colored people who are ashamed of the cake-walk, but I think they ought to be proud of it.

- James Weldon Johnson

Young man, young man, your arm's too short to box with God.

Young man, young man, your arm's too short to box with God.

- James Weldon Johnson

Washington shows the Negro not only at his best, but also at his worst.

Washington shows the Negro not only at his best, but also at his worst.

- James Weldon Johnson

I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and of London as a big freckle.

I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and of London as a big freckle.

- James Weldon Johnson

I had enjoyed life in Paris, and, taking all things into consideration, enjoyed it wholesomely.

I had enjoyed life in Paris, and, taking all things into consideration, enjoyed it wholesomely.

- James Weldon Johnson

It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives its most distinctive character.

It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives its most distinctive character.

- James Weldon Johnson

Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race; through a sense of justice, charity, and philanthropy, they will liberally assist in his elevation.

Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race; through a sense of justice, charity, and philanthropy, they will liberally assist in his elevation.

- James Weldon Johnson

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