Abbey Lincoln Quotes

I'm worth far too much money. I don't need anybody's money.

Bending over backwards does not bring you the love and attention you crave, but having your own life, your own goals and a backbone will.

I don't make demands. I don't tell you how it should be. I'll give you options, and it's up to you to select or throw 'em away. That should be the headline: If you're insecure, don't call.

Believe me, when people say, 'We want to pay you X-million to do this movie,' I won't be the girl who hangs back saying, 'Oh, I really don't deserve it,' I'll be, 'Un-hunh, hand it right over.'

I care not so much what I am to others as what I am to myself. I will be rich by myself, and not by borrowing.

I don't think it's a good attitude in your life to feel that you have to be rich to have self-esteem.

My mom always told me one of the reasons that she was really happy in her life was that, if Dad never worked again, she was confident that she could support the family.

I came of age believing that, no matter what happened, I would always be able to support myself.

I don't have to justify myself. I work a lot and I earn a lot.

Your net worth can fluctuate, but your self-worth should only appreciate.

I really don't care if anyone thinks I'm special or not, I just want to be able to live my life without thinking about money all the time, or where I'm going to get it.

I don't have to do films to pay my bills, nor am I insecure to think that out of sight is out of mind.

I don't need to be liked.

Why would I care what other people are thinking? I don't care what an audience thinks of me.

The money I've earned has enabled me to keep my life in my own hands. I had a terrific body, and I got paid for using it.

I don't feel as though I have to prove anything to anybody.

I'm not trying to keep anybody happy.

I used to think that one of the great signs of security was the ability to just walk away.

Never stand begging for that which you have the power to earn.

It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one's dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent.

Being self-supporting is important to me.

We are the men of intrinsic value, who can strike our fortunes out of ourselves, whose worth is independent of accidents in life, or revolutions in government: we have heads to get money, and hearts to spend it.

I would rather take the role and work and make my own money and self respect than to have sex with someone who has a lot of money.

I've stopped apologizing to myself for having this great period of success and financial acceptance.

I simply want you to give to yourself as much as you give of yourself. By taking care of yourself financially, you will truly be able to take care of those you love.