Quotes from Lena Horne

you have to be taught to be secondclass;your not born that way

It's not the load that breaks you down - it's the way you carry it!

I disconnected myself to shield myself from people who would sway to my songs in the club and call me 'nigger' in the street. They were too busy seeing their own preconceived image of a Negro woman. the image that I chose to give them was of a woman who they could not reach and therefore can't hurt.

Always be smarter than those who hire you

Always be smarter than the people who hire you.

I'm not alone, I'm free. I no longer have to be a credit, I don't have to be a symbol to anybody; I don't have to be a first to anybody.

I've seen so much. And I've heard so many great performers. There are performers now that couldn't work back in the days when I came along.

The best thing about living... Is the chance to keep on doing it!

Don't be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it's just death.

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.