It is dangerous to be an American Negro male. America has never wanted its Negroes to be men, and does not, generally, treat them as men. It treats them as mascots, pets, or things.
James A. BaldwinRead
Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but, most of all, endurance.
Interpretation
Talent alone is not enough for success; endurance and other factors are essential.
James A. Baldwin emphasizes that while talent is important, it is not the sole determinant of success. The quote suggests that qualities such as discipline, love, luck, and particularly endurance play a vital role in overcoming challenges and achieving one's goals, indicating that hard work and perseverance are more valuable than natural ability alone.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming obstacles, one might say, 'As James A. Baldwin once said, talent is insignificant without endurance.'
It is dangerous to be an American Negro male. America has never wanted its Negroes to be men, and does not, generally, treat them as men. It treats them as mascots, pets, or things.
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