I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I …

- Ralph Ellison

I am nobody but myself.

- Ralph Ellison

It takes a deep commitment to change and an even deeper commitment to grow.

- Ralph Ellison

Life is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.

- Ralph Ellison

Education is all a matter of building bridges.

- Ralph Ellison

If you can show me how I can cling to that which is real to me, while teaching me a way into the larger society, then and only then will I drop my de…

- Ralph Ellison

When I discover who I am, I'll be free.

- Ralph Ellison

The world is a possibility if only you'll discover it.

- Ralph Ellison

I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer.

- Ralph Ellison