"The primary distinction of the artist is that he must actively cultivate that state which most men, necessarily, must avoid: the state of being alone."

"Words like "freedom," "justice," "democracy" are not common concepts; on the contrary, they are rare. People are not born knowing what these are. It takes enormous and, above all, individual effort to arrive at the respect for other people that these words imply."

"I'm content where I am. I know I am going to be a Cowboy for life."

"I think T.O. is the ultimate right now in the league as far as being able to make plays. Every time he touches the ball, he is capable of doing something special with it."

"He's definitely a character. But he's his own marketing tool, and he does it very well. He's real laid-back and subdued most times. Real down-to-earth guy. And when it's lights-camera-action -- different person."

"He's a coach's dream. He's been really wonderful for the other guys I coach. Why? His work ethic, he has a great passion for playing the game; he's made my job easier."

"T.O., he's a phenomenal player and a good leader. A lot of people in the media try to make him to be a bad guy, which he's really not. He's a team player. He works hard."

"Yes, I am a narcissist. The best, too."

"I've always been pretty much a quiet person. When I was little, I got picked on a lot. After I went through all that, I pretty much kept to myself."

"People have doubted me and criticized me my whole life, and that's why I'm the way I am."

"Once I step on the field, by the things I do in practice and the way I practice, you can't tell that I don't love the game. But I just know it deep down."

"We are one."

"You know you blew up when the women rush your stands and try to touch your hands like some screaming Usher fans."

"I rose to frame in the late 1990s and continued to earn accolades for my R&B hits. I take my first Grammy Award home in 2005."

"[I'm] a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso. I'm an artist in that light. I went from being an artist to an artiste."

"I wouldn't call myself a coward, no way. But being buried alive is something I could never handle. The only way you'd see me being buried alive is if I was dead, man."

"It can never be bad to have a foundation as a man — a black man. — in a time when women are dying for men. Women have started to become lovers of each other as a result of not having enough men."

"We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right."

"I'd like a hamburger and a coke, please. / Sir, we don't serve negroes here. / Ma'am, I don't eat negroes. I'd like a hamburger and a coke."

"You gotsta love all God's children!"

"Who the fuck is this? Pagin' me at 5:46 in the morning. Crack of dawnin'. Now I'm yawnin', wipe the cold out my eye. See who's this pagin' me, and why?"

"Representing the best of East Coast rap, Christopher Wallace, otherwise known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, is one of the most influential and acclaimed rappers in history. The New York based rapper has written some of the genre’s most well-respected albums and singles such as “Juicy,” “Big Poppa” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” among others. Wallace’s unique beats and rap flow often undermined the violent lyrical themes he showcased in his songwriting, though it was seen as a new and unprecedented approach to the gangsta rap genre at the time."

"I kind of realized how powerful Tupac and I was (you know what I'm saying?) because Pac is a strong dude, I know dude. (You know what I'm saying?) We two ind"

"I only got beef with those that violate me; I shall annihilate thee."

"I'm going, going, back, back, to Cali, Cali."

"Forget the telly, we just go to the crib, watch a movie in the Jacuzzi and smoke Ls while you do me."

"I love it when you call me Big Poppa; throw your hands in the air if you's a true player."

"[A]nd if you don't know? Now you know, nigga."

"Damn right I like the life I live, 'cause I went from negative to positive."

"Birthdays was the worst days; now we sip champagne when we're thirsty."

"Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis. When I was dead broke, man, I couldn't picture this."

"I made a change from a common thief, to up-close and personal with Robin Leach, and I'm far from cheap. I smoke skunk with my peeps all day, spread love it's the Brooklyn way. The moet and alize keeps me pissy. Girls used to diss me, now they write letters cuz they miss me. I never thought it could happen this rapping stuff. I was too used to packing gats and stuff. Now honeys play me close like butter played toast, from the Mississippi down to the East Coast. Condos in queens, indoor for weeks. sold out seats to hear Biggy Smalls speak. Living life without fear, putting 5 carats in my baby girls ears. Lunchies, brunchies. Interviews by the pool, considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school. Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood and it's still all good."

"I'm blowin' up like you thought I would, call the crib up, same number same hood, its all good."

"Peace to Ron G, Brucy B, Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky."

"It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine. Salt-n-Peppa, Heavy D up in tha limousine. Hangin' pictures on my wall, every Saturday rap attack, Mr. Magic Marley Marl. I let my tape rock till my tape pop, smoking weed and bamboo, sippin' on Private Stock. Way back, when I had the red-and-black lumberjack, with the hat to match. Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha duh-ha, you never thought that hip hop would take it this far. Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight. Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade! Born sinner, the opposite of a winner. Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner."

"C4 to your door, no beef no more."

"There's gonna' be a lotta slow singin' and flower bringin' if my burglar alarm starts ringin'."

"When I die? Fuck it, I wanna go to hell, 'cause I'm a piece of shit. It ain't hard to fuckin' tell."

"Black and ugly as ever, however I stay Gucci down to the socks, rings and watch filled with Rocks."

"Never get high on your own supply."

"You're just mad 'cause I got my dick sucked, and my balls licked."

"I've got seven MAC-11s, about eight .38s, nine 9s, ten MAC-10s. The shits never end, you can't touch my riches. Even if you have MC Hammer and them 3-5-7 bitches."

"Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight. Laid back, I got some money to make. Motherfucker!"

"Goodness Gracious The Paper! Where the Cash at? Where the Stash at?"

"B-I-G P-O-P-P-A; no info for the DEA."

"Kick in the door, waving the .44. All you heard was: "Poppa, don't hit me no more.""

"Lyrically I'm untouchable, uncrushable. Getting mad blunted in the S-500."

"Is Brooklyn in the house? Without a doubt, I'm the rapper with clout everybody yap about."