Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

34 Motivational Quotes By Jamaica Kincaid On Relationships And Life

Famous As: Antiguan-American Novelist, Essayist, Gardener and Gardening Writer
Born On: May 25, 1949
Born In: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
Age: 74 Years
Jamaica Kincaid, is an American essayist, gardening writer and novelist famous for her innovative ways of portraying family relationships and her native place. At the early stage of her career she interviewed ‘Gloria Steinem’ and wrote a series of articles inspired by the interview. She further went on to work as a freelancer and finally landed up as a staff writer in ‘The New Yorker’ magazine. She developed as a writer and was promoted to be a feature columnist and eventually became an editor. She quit her job at ‘New Yorker’ to pursue a career as a novelist. Through her novels she portrayed her experiences of life and her family relationships. She has also written about colonialism, which reflects her anger towards the consequences. She also wrote many short stories and essays. Her collection of short stories ‘At the Bottom of the River’ was critically appreciated and was honored by ‘Morton Dauwen Zabel Award’ which was her first award. She further won many awards including the ‘American Book Award’ for her novel ‘See Now Then’. Her writings covered several subjects and viewpoints. Whatever she has said or written is quoted extensively. Go through this collection of quotes by Jamaica Kincaid that beautifully defines racism, relationships and life.
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Friendship is a simple thing, and yet complicated; friendship is on the surface, something natural, something taken for granted, and yet underneath one could find worlds.

Friendship is a simple thing, and yet complicated; friendship is on the surface, something natural, something taken for granted, and yet underneath one could find worlds.

Jamaica Kincaid
There's something to be said about a slightly plump person—you have just enough of too much.

There's something to be said about a slightly plump person—you have just enough of too much.

Jamaica Kincaid
No matter how happy I had been in the past I do not long for it. The present is always the moment for which I love.

No matter how happy I had been in the past I do not long for it. The present is always the moment for which I love.

Jamaica Kincaid
I was a new person then, I knew things I had not known before, I knew things that you can know only if you have been through what I had just been through.

I was a new person then, I knew things I had not known before, I knew things that you can know only if you have been through what I had just been through.

Jamaica Kincaid
I wish that I could love someone so much that I would die from it.

I wish that I could love someone so much that I would die from it.

Jamaica Kincaid
That was the moment he got the idea he possessed me in a certain way, and that was the moment I grew tired of him.

That was the moment he got the idea he possessed me in a certain way, and that was the moment I grew tired of him.

Jamaica Kincaid
Why is a picture of something real eventually more exciting than the thing itself?

Why is a picture of something real eventually more exciting than the thing itself?

Jamaica Kincaid
The past is a room full of baggage and rubbish and sometimes things that are of use, but if they are of real use, I have kept them.

The past is a room full of baggage and rubbish and sometimes things that are of use, but if they are of real use, I have kept them.

Jamaica Kincaid
The inevitable is no less a shock just because it is inevitable.

The inevitable is no less a shock just because it is inevitable.

Jamaica Kincaid
I understood that I was inventing myself, and that I was doing this more in the way of a painter than in the way of a scientist. I could not count on precision or calculation; I could only count on intuition.

I understood that I was inventing myself, and that I was doing this more in the way of a painter than in the way of a scientist. I could not count on precision or calculation; I could only count on intuition.

Jamaica Kincaid
...yet a memory cannot be trusted, for so much of the experience of the past is determined by the experience of the present.

...yet a memory cannot be trusted, for so much of the experience of the past is determined by the experience of the present.

Jamaica Kincaid
What I don't write is as important as what I write.

What I don't write is as important as what I write.

Jamaica Kincaid
Like father like son, like mother like daughter!

Like father like son, like mother like daughter!

Jamaica Kincaid
It is sad that unless you are born a god, your life,from its very beginning, is a mystery to you.

It is sad that unless you are born a god, your life,from its very beginning, is a mystery to you.

Jamaica Kincaid
Of course his life could be found in the pages of a book; I had just begun to notice that the lives of men always are.

Of course his life could be found in the pages of a book; I had just begun to notice that the lives of men always are.

Jamaica Kincaid
When people say you’re charming you’re in deep trouble.

When people say you’re charming you’re in deep trouble.

Jamaica Kincaid
Who you are is a mystery no one can answer, not even you.

Who you are is a mystery no one can answer, not even you.

Jamaica Kincaid
But there was no use pretending: I was not the sort of person who counted blessings; I was the sort of person for whom there could never be enough blessings.

But there was no use pretending: I was not the sort of person who counted blessings; I was the sort of person for whom there could never be enough blessings.

Jamaica Kincaid
Do you see the queer thing about people like me? Sometimes we hold your retribution.

Do you see the queer thing about people like me? Sometimes we hold your retribution.

Jamaica Kincaid
On their way to freedom, some people find riches, some people find death.

On their way to freedom, some people find riches, some people find death.

Jamaica Kincaid
It was hollow, my triumph, I could feel that, but I held on to it just the same.

It was hollow, my triumph, I could feel that, but I held on to it just the same.

Jamaica Kincaid
By then I already knew that I wanted to have a powerful odor and would not care if it gave offense.

By then I already knew that I wanted to have a powerful odor and would not care if it gave offense.

Jamaica Kincaid
That is how I came to think that heavy and hard was the beginning of living, real living; and though I might not end up with a mark on my cheek, I had no doubt that I would end up with a mark somewhere.

That is how I came to think that heavy and hard was the beginning of living, real living; and though I might not end up with a mark on my cheek, I had no doubt that I would end up with a mark somewhere.

Jamaica Kincaid
At the door I planted a kiss on Paul's mouth with an uncontrollable ardor that I actually did feel-a kiss of treachery, for I could still taste the other man in my mouth.

At the door I planted a kiss on Paul's mouth with an uncontrollable ardor that I actually did feel-a kiss of treachery, for I could still taste the other man in my mouth.

Jamaica Kincaid
All roads come to an end, and all ends are the same, trailing off into nothing; even an echo eventually will be silenced” (Kincaid 215).

All roads come to an end, and all ends are the same, trailing off into nothing; even an echo eventually will be silenced” (Kincaid 215).

Jamaica Kincaid
But mostly I had books - so many books, and they were mine; I would not have to part with them. It had always been a dream of mine to just own a lot of books, to never part with a book once I had read it.

But mostly I had books - so many books, and they were mine; I would not have to part with them. It had always been a dream of mine to just own a lot of books, to never part with a book once I had read it.

Jamaica Kincaid
I was afraid of the dead, as was everyone I knew. We were afraid of the dead because we never could tell when they might show up again.

I was afraid of the dead, as was everyone I knew. We were afraid of the dead because we never could tell when they might show up again.

Jamaica Kincaid
I had begun to see the past like this: there is a line; you can draw it yourself, or sometimes it gets drawn for you; either way, there it is, your past, a collection of people you used to be

I had begun to see the past like this: there is a line; you can draw it yourself, or sometimes it gets drawn for you; either way, there it is, your past, a collection of people you used to be

Jamaica Kincaid
She always said that she respected and liked us all equally, and I have to say that that attitude didn't go down well with me, accustomed as I was to being singled out and held up in a special way.

She always said that she respected and liked us all equally, and I have to say that that attitude didn't go down well with me, accustomed as I was to being singled out and held up in a special way.

Jamaica Kincaid
Of course, I now see that good behaviour is the proper posture of the weak, of children.

Of course, I now see that good behaviour is the proper posture of the weak, of children.

Jamaica Kincaid