Long ago in China, knot-makers tied string into buttons and frogs, and rope into bell pulls. There was one knot so complicated that it blinded the knot-maker. Finally an emperor outlawed this cruel knot, and the nobles could not order… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
“What are you going to do for a living? Yea, you're going to have to work because you can't be a housewife. Somebody has to marry you before you can be a housewife. And you, you are a plant. Do you know that? That's all you are if you don't talk. If you don't talk, you can't have a personality.… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share
The way I'm going now is to focus on peace, to create peace. As Sister Corita said, "I don't go to anti-war rallies. I… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
The images of peace are ephemeral. The language of peace is subtle. The reasons for peace, the definitions of peace, the very idea of… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
We're all under the same sky and walk the same earth; we're alive together during the same moment. — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
“The villagers were speeding up the circling of events because she was too shortsighted to see that her infidelity had already harmed the village,… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
When I'm teaching, I tell my students: It's all process. Don't even think of product. — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
I'm so proud that my offspring became a musician. I'm full of awe that we are able to have a whole family live the… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
Chinese Americans, when you try to understand what things in you are Chinese, how do you separate what is peculiar to childhood, to poverty,… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
When I am composing, I try to clear my mind of having to publish, or having to sell a book or find readers. That… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
“Upon Good Earth, lay the body down, open the mouth wide, let song rush through.” — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
To me success means effectiveness in the world, that I am able to carry my ideas and values into the world--that I am able… — Maxine Hong Kingston Copy Share Image
