“I am not ashamed of my grandparents for having been slaves. I am only ashamed of myself for having at one time being ashamed.”
Other Ralph Ellison Quotes
The understanding of art depends finally upon one's willingness to extend one's humanity and one's knowledge of human life.
Ralph Ellison 
62% of people like this quote
There are few things in the world as dangerous as sleepwalkers.
Ralph Ellison
55% of people like this quote
Eclecticism is the word. Like a jazz musician who creates his own style out of the styles around him, I play by ear.
Ralph Ellison
55% of people like this quote
By and large, the critics and readers gave me an affirmed sense of my identity as a writer. You might know this within yourself, but to have it affirmed by others is of utmost importance. Writing is, after all, a form of communication.
Ralph Ellison
54% of people like this quote
Life is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.
Ralph Ellison
54% of people like this quote