Cornel West

Philosopher, public intellectual

Contemporary influential 146 sayings

Sayings by Cornel West

I'm a free black man who loves Jesus. That's my identity.

2014 — Interview with Tavis Smiley
Humorous Unverifiable

The blues is a beautiful catastrophe. It's about how you respond to the catastrophe.

2000s — Lecture on the blues
Humorous Unverifiable

Don't be afraid to be a fool for Christ.

2000s — Sermon or public talk
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I'm not a politician. I'm a prophet.

2000s-present — Interview, various occasions
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To be human is to be fallible, to be fragile, to be finite.

2004 — Book: 'Democracy Matters'
Humorous Unverifiable

Truth is not simply what we feel, but what we are willing to fight for.

2010s — Speech, unknown location
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I'm a revolutionary Christian, a non-Marxist socialist, and a jazz-loving bluesman.

2012 — Interview with The Nation
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Hope is not optimism. Hope is a spiritual weapon.

2010s — Speech at a conference
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I'm a truth-teller, a justice-seeker, and a love-warrior.

2000s-present — Various public appearances
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To be radical is to grasp things by the root.

1990s-present — Often attributed to him, though it's a quote from Marx (often used by West)
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Love is not a sentiment. It's a verb. It's an action.

2010s — Speech, unknown location
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The spiritual battle is always before us.

2014 — Interview with Tavis Smiley
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I'm a human being. I'm a child of God. I'm a brother to all.

2000s-present — Public speech, various occasions
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The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice. But it doesn't bend on its own.

2000s-present — Often uses this MLK quote, adding his own emphasis
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I'm not interested in being popular. I'm interested in being profound.

2004 — Interview with Charlie Rose
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The fundamental question is not what's wrong with black people, but what's wrong with America.

1993 — Book: 'Race Matters'
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We need more prophetic voices, not just polite voices.

2010s — Speech, unknown location
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I'm a spiritual gangster with a PhD.

2010s — Public talk, sometimes used humorously
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To be a serious intellectual is to be a loving critic.

1991 — Book: 'The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought'
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The greatest gift you can give is to be fully present.

2000s — Speech or interview
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