30 phrases by Nina Simone to honor this great artist

Life is short. People are not easy to get to know. They’re not easy to know, so if you don’t tell them how you feel, you’re not going to get anywhere, I feel.

It’s a new beginning, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me and I’m feeling fine.

You need to learn to get up from the table when love is no longer being served.

We are allowed to be exactly who we are.

Just try to do your best. Get up and count on everyone else.

My job is to somehow make them curious enough to make them aware of themselves and where they came from.

You can’t help it. An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.

At this crucial time in our lives, when everything is so desperate, when every day is a matter of survival, I think it’s impossible for you not to get involved.

When I spend time with college kids, I know I’ll be rewarded, because when I see them doing something important, I’ll say, well, I was a part of it.

I had no choice, there is no way to live in that time, in this country and not get involved.

To me we are the most beautiful creatures in the whole world, black people, in every way, outside and inside.

Here comes the sun, darling, here comes the sun and I say: it’s all right.

You don’t have to live by my side, just give me my freedom.

I wish I could do all the things I can do. And when I hit the limit, I’d start all over again.

This is the world you built, now you’re going to have to live in it.

They need me and when I’m needed, I need help.

We blacks have a culture that is surpassed by any other civilization, but we don’t know anything about it.

If sometimes you see me crazy, don’t you know that no one alive can always be an angel?

Love me or leave me and let me be alone.

I wish I could break all the chains that hold me back.

Well, I’m just a soul whose intentions are good.

You have to learn from difficult experiences and take some as advice.

I’m only human, don’t you know I make mistakes like everyone else?

I wish you knew what it means to be who I am. Then you would see and agree that every man should be free.

I tell you what freedom means to me: not being afraid.

I spent many years pursuing excellence, because that’s what classical music is all about. Now I dedicate myself to freedom, which is much more important.