"To gaze into another persons face is to do two things: to recognise their humanity and to assert your own."
About Lawrence Hill
Lawrence Hill — Life and Legacy
Lawrence Hill is a prominent Canadian novelist and essayist, celebrated for his profound exploration of race, identity, and resilience. His most notable work, 'The Book of Negroes,' tells the harrowing story of a young African woman during the transatlantic slave trade, highlighting the complexities of identity and belonging. Hill's writing often reflects his own biracial heritage, allowing him to delve deeply into the struggles faced by marginalized communities. In his work, Hill articulates the idea that 'We are all the stories we tell ourselves,' suggesting that our identities are shaped by the narratives we create. This perspective reveals his belief in the power of storytelling as a means of understanding oneself and others. Hill challenges conventional notions of identity, emphasizing that it is not static but rather a fluid construct influenced by personal and historical contexts. The impact of Hill's quotes resonates today as they encourage readers to reflect on their own identities and the societal structures that shape them. His exploration of resilience in the face of adversity serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in personal narratives and the importance of acknowledging one's history.
Quote collection
Lawrence Hill quotes
13 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"I had learned that there were times when fighting was impossible, when the best thing to do was to wait and to learn."
"When it comes to understanding others, we rarely tax our imaginations."
"We are never really beyond it... slavery continues to this day."
"I remember wondering, within a year or two of taking my first my first steps, why only men sat to drink tea and converse, and why women were always busy. I reasoned that men were weak and needed rest."
"Never have I met a person doing terrible things who would meet my own eyes peacefully. To gaze into another person's face is to do two things: to recognize their humanity, and to assert your own."
"You must learn to respect," Papa said. But I do not respect her," I said. Papa paused for a moment, and patted my leg. "Then you must learn to hide your disrespect."
"But I have long loved the written word, and come to see in it the power of the sleeping lion. This is my name. This is who I am. This is how I got here. In the absence of an audience, I will write down my story so that it waits like a restful beast with lungs breathing and heart beating."
"Sometimes a deal with the devil is better than no deal at all."
"Some say that I was once uncommonly beautiful, but I wouldn't wish beauty on any woman who has not her own freedom, and who chooses not the hands that claim her."
"Redemption is invented by the sinner."
"Today you live, child. Tomorrow, you dream."
"beware the clever man that makes the wrong look right"