Audre Lorde, born Audre Geraldine Lorde on February 18, 1934, in New York City, USA, was a trailblazing Black lesbian feminist, poet, essayist, and activist. Throughout her career, she authored influential works like “Sister Outsider” and “The Cancer Journals,” which explored themes of race, gender, sexuality, and social justice. Lorde’s achievements include receiving the American Book Award and being a key figure in the civil rights and women’s liberation movements, advocating for intersectionality and self-empowerment. Her quotes, drawn from books, interviews, and speeches, offer timeless wisdom on life, resilience, and human connection. In this list, we present 15 quotes by Audre Lorde that illuminate her profound insights into living authentically and facing life’s challenges.
15 Audre Lorde Quotes
1. “I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.” (Book, “The Cancer Journals,” 1980)
2. “When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.” (Book, “Sister Outsider,” 1984)
3. “It is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken.” (Book, “Sister Outsider,” 1984)
4. “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” (Book, “A Burst of Light,” 1988)
5. “I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified.” (Book, “Sister Outsider,” 1984)
6. “The quality of light by which we scrutinize our lives has direct bearing upon the product which we live.” (Essay, “Poetry Is Not a Luxury,” 1977)
7. “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” (Book, “Sister Outsider,” 1984)
8. “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” (Speech, “The Uses of Anger,” 1981)
9. “We were never meant to survive.” (Poem, “A Litany for Survival,” 1978)
10. “Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1988)
11. “Each of us is here now because in one way or another we share a commitment to language and to the power of language.” (Commencement Speech, Oberlin College, 1989)
12. “I have come to believe that the fear of difference is the fuel for all war, all hatred, all oppression.” (Interview, Ms. Magazine, 1982)
13. “In the transformation of silence into language and action, it is vitally necessary for each human being to see their own particular wars.” (Book, “Sister Outsider,” 1984)
14. “The erotic is a resource within each of us that lies in a deeply female and spiritual plane.” (Essay, “Uses of the Erotic,” 1978)
15. “I am my own best work—a series of unconnected events leading me to my life as a free woman.” (Book, “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name,” 1982)
These quotes from Audre Lorde reveal her unwavering dedication to living with courage, authenticity, and a fierce commitment to justice. They highlight how she transformed personal struggles into universal lessons on resilience, self-care, and the power of voice in navigating life’s complexities. Lorde’s words continue to inspire, reminding us that true freedom comes from embracing our truths. We invite you to share your favorite quote or how her insights have touched your life in the comments below.