By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Dorothy West is known as a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, an early 20th-century movement celebrating African American art and culture that originated in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. West began writing stories at just 7 years old and went on to shadow legendary writers including Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. She became a prolific author in her own right, penning everything from newspaper articles to essays to novels. These words come from her short story “The Richer, The Poorer,” in which she contrasts the lives of two sisters with very different approaches to finances: Lottie works hard and saves, while Bess spends and travels. When they reunite in their older age and Lottie laments not “using [her] years,” proclaiming that she would have lived differently if she’d known she’d spend her whole life ceaselessly working, Bess responds with these words. Through Bess, West reminds us that we open up our lives to infinite possibilities when we recognize and understand the limitations of our knowledge and foresight.
10 Quotes From People Who’ve Survived Tragedy
These “Monty Python” Quotes Are the True “Holy Grail”
The Classics: Quotes From History’s Greatest Poems
13 Quotes About the Magic of Winter
14 Motivational Quotes From Super Bowl-Winning Coaches
These Books by Black Authors May Just Change Your Life
The Best Lyrics To Come Out of the British Invasion
17 Quotes That Capture the Witty Romance of Nora Ephron’s Movies
13 Motivating Quotes To Help You Accomplish Your Goals
Quotes To Help You Tap Into Your Inner Strength
20 Quotes for Coffee Lovers