Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

"I was never more hated than when I tried to be honest. Or when, even as just now I've tried to articulate exactly what I felt to be the truth. No one was satisfied"

"What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do?"

"Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat."

"When I discover who I am, I’ll be free."