Jamaica Kincaid Quotes

Fighting in general, but especially when I was younger, was tough to deal with because there are so many external things going on that want to control you that most people have no clue about.

More faults are often committed while we are trying to oblige than while we are giving offense.

and I try to draw the line but it ends up running down the middle of me most of the time.

I have a very sharp tongue, I'm very impatient, and it's a lifelong struggle.

I'm not the kind of person that would step on people just to get where I wanted to be, but I have crossed moral boundaries when I've either been afraid or desperate.

Living en famille provides the strongest motives for rudeness combined with the maximum opportunity for displaying it.

I've struggled so hard to reign in my temper because it actually terrifies me.

I struggle with control.

I'm sensitive, you know, about some things, and as some of my partners could attest to, incredibly insensitive.

I was brought up with considerable discipline, and I was taught it wasn't proper to display certain very private emotions in public.

I think the deepest problem is between my parents and me. I just don't know if it will ever be the same.

I don't go to clubs and stuff like that, so I don't have to put up with it in there. And normally, because obviously I could hurt somebody, and if I look at it that way, I have to back off.

I have an issue with rage. I'm going to work that out, long term.

My relationship with my mom is really bad.

I don't think there's ever a winner in a feud. It's about emotional pain and an inability to conquer the pain.

The man or nation of high culture may acknowledge to great lengths the restraints imposed by conventions and honour, but beyond a certain point, primitive will or desire cannot be curbed.

Me and Dr. Dre didn't speak for a while because I was going through my problems.

Many relationships can become difficult, and it can be hard to find a way back.

My ex-boyfriend didn't hear me fart once, and we were together six years. I hated the thought of grossing him out, so I think some things should be left to do privately.

I don't want to show my emotions in public.

Anytime you fall short with someone you've been with the whole time, you always ask yourself or ask the other partner, 'Can we do this?'

I always revisit duality because I think it's a conflict we all have. I think we all leave our house and go to work, and we put on the cape and become superheroes. That's what we do. It's how we move through life and handle negativity: you do everything you can to stay away from it.

"Which is completely out-of-line behavior. Then you are wholly within your rights to stomp on their foot." "No," Delia said, over her shoulder. "Actually, you're not. Just excuse yourself as politely as possible, and get out of arm's reach." Kristy looked at me, shaking her head. "Stomp them." she said, under her breath. "Really."

The minute we get reconciled to a person, how willing we are to throw aside little needless punctilios and pronounce his name right.

You can choose to be civil or not be civil. What is the point of going through the day and think it's cool to wear your honesty on your sleeve at the expense of everyone around you?