--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think…" description: "\"Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a black person to be automatically soulful. I respect Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake; the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/maxwell-26623_always_soul-is-a-colourless-thing-i-don-t-think_613206.jpg" --- # Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a… ![“Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a black person to be automatically soulful. I respect Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake; they do what they do. For me, my philosophy has always been 'contribution before competition.'” quote by Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/maxwell-26623_always_soul-is-a-colourless-thing-i-don-t-think_613206.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/maxwell-26623_always_soul-is-a-colourless-thing-i-don-t-think_613206.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdf/maxwell-26623_always_soul-is-a-colourless-thing-i-don-t-think_613206.jpg) > “Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a black person to be automatically soulful. I respect Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake; they do what they do. For me, my philosophy has always been 'contribution before competition.'” [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote challenges racial stereotypes about soulfulness and emphasizes personal contribution over competition. **In simple terms:** Soul isn’t tied to race; focus on helping others. Key Takeaway Prioritize contribution before competition. Themes identity stereotypes contribution competition music culture Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - team projects - community service - creative collaborations - music industry - personal branding Key Concepts social psychology personal philosophy cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - How does your background shape your view of contribution? - Can contribution replace competition in all fields? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic barriers that affect contributions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contribution/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Soulful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soulful/) ## Related quotes > [Justin Timberlake puts you to shame, having that much talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorma-taccone/justin-timberlake-puts-you-to-shame-having-that-much-talent/) [Jorma Taccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorma-taccone/) > [It's OK if Tim McGraw goes and does a movie, and it's OK if Justin Timberlake does a movie, but it's not OK for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-kane/it-s-ok-if-tim-mcgraw-goes-and-does-a-movie-and-it-s-ok-if-justin/) [Christian Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-kane/) > [I think when you go to a store and you go to the Justin Timberlake page and stream it from there, that's great, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-cue/i-think-when-you-go-to-a-store-and-you-go-to-the-justin-timberlake/) [Eddy Cue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-cue/) > [I want to work with Justin Timberlake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-latimore/i-want-to-work-with-justin-timberlake/) [Jacob Latimore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-latimore/) > [Have I met Justin Timberlake? I have! I've been to his house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberley-nixon/have-i-met-justin-timberlake-i-have-i-ve-been-to-his-house/) [Kimberley Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberley-nixon/) > [Younger kids should realize that if dancing is what you wanna do, it's not always gonna be the easiest thing; you're not always going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-guzman/younger-kids-should-realize-that-if-dancing-is-what-you-wanna-do-it-s/) [Ryan Guzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-guzman/) > [When I was on the 'Mickey Mouse Club,' there was Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling and Christine Aguilera. But they were 12…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keri-russell/when-i-was-on-the-mickey-mouse-club-there-was-britney-spears-justin/) [Keri Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keri-russell/) > [I am in love with old school funk and soul music. That's what I grew up listening to, and I want to bring that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raini-rodriguez/i-am-in-love-with-old-school-funk-and-soul-music-that-s-what-i-grew/) [Raini Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raini-rodriguez/) > [I was on a sitcom called 'Gary Unmarried' for 37 episodes, and then I was in 'Bad Teacher' with Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-newton/i-was-on-a-sitcom-called-gary-unmarried-for-37-episodes-and-then-i/) [Kathryn Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-newton/) > [I'm not Usher or Justin Timberlake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-b-sure/i-m-not-usher-or-justin-timberlake/) [Al B. Sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-b-sure/) > [I like Kylie Minogue sometimes - I like a lot of unusual stuff... I don't know - I like Justin Timberlake over Lady Gaga,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-like-kylie-minogue-sometimes-i-like-a-lot-of-unusual-stuff-i-don-t/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [There was a bidding war between Epic Records and Jive - now RCA - which was bittersweet. Just having labels bid over me was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-latimore/there-was-a-bidding-war-between-epic-records-and-jive-now-rca-which/) [Jacob Latimore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-latimore/) > [I'm a big soccer fan, so any soccer player that I meet, I always get star struck. I've met a lot of big stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-murs/i-m-a-big-soccer-fan-so-any-soccer-player-that-i-meet-i-always-get/) [Olly Murs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-murs/) > [I'm a massive fan of Troye Sivan, Ariana Grande, and Justin Timberlake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-fisher/i-m-a-massive-fan-of-troye-sivan-ariana-grande-and-justin-timberlake/) [Jordan Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-fisher/) > [Everybody who's anybody has been competitive and over-sensitive and a bit silly. Look at Paul McCartney, look at Elton John. They're jealous of Justin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/everybody-who-s-anybody-has-been-competitive-and-over-sensitive-and-a/) [Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/) ## More by Maxwell > [I remember where I'm from. It's like, 'Dude, you used to work at Pizza Hut.' I still have the hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-remember-where-i-m-from-it-s-like-dude-you-used-to-work-at-pizza/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [People failed to realize that when you're living such a hyper, super reality of a life, where you're just doing shows and you're on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/people-failed-to-realize-that-when-you-re-living-such-a-hyper-super/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I know a lot of people weren't expecting 'BLACKSummers'Night' to be what it was, just like a lot of people weren't expecting 'Embrya' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-know-a-lot-of-people-weren-t-expecting-blacksummers-night-to-be/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [You can always write a song about people who are in love, but they're in love, so they're happy; they don't need you. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/you-can-always-write-a-song-about-people-who-are-in-love-but-they-re/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [A lot of people thought my career was over. If you're not releasing records, then something must be wrong. Either the record company doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/a-lot-of-people-thought-my-career-was-over-if-you-re-not-releasing/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I love my last-minute lifestyle because I just sort of don't have plans, and things kind of happen. Plans make me annoyed a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-love-my-last-minute-lifestyle-because-i-just-sort-of-don-t-have/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I just turned 40, and I look at so many performers and so many people who are actually always on time and always have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-just-turned-40-and-i-look-at-so-many-performers-and-so-many-people/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I'm really maturing into soul music. It's not my attempt or karaoke try. I feel like I really embody the music now that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-m-really-maturing-into-soul-music-it-s-not-my-attempt-or-karaoke/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Most of the people you see me working for me are actually with me. And I'm proud to say that I've known them for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/most-of-the-people-you-see-me-working-for-me-are-actually-with-me-and/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [In your 20s, you're just a sketch of what you think you're trying to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/in-your-20s-you-re-just-a-sketch-of-what-you-think-you-re-trying-to-be/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Soul music is soul music. It can be wrapped up in a neo soul package; it can be called hip-hop soul. But soul is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/soul-music-is-soul-music-it-can-be-wrapped-up-in-a-neo-soul-package/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I'm confident in my intentions and why I'm making music. I'm not making music because I want to be on your TV screen or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-m-confident-in-my-intentions-and-why-i-m-making-music-i-m-not/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [A part of me was like, 'Man, do I even like doing this anymore?' That whole thing of 'I'm in my 30s, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/a-part-of-me-was-like-man-do-i-even-like-doing-this-anymore-that/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [I'm pretty sensitive. My feelings get hurt a lot easier than people think, but I try take it all with grain of salt. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/i-m-pretty-sensitive-my-feelings-get-hurt-a-lot-easier-than-people/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) > [Songs are not on a conveyor belt. I'm not chopping them up and putting them out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell/songs-are-not-on-a-conveyor-belt-i-m-not-chopping-them-up-and-putting/) [Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) [Explore all 21 Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Soul is a colourless thing. I don't think you have to be a black person to be automatically soulful. 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