The sweat of hard work is not to be displayed. It is much more graceful to appear favored by the gods.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

There can't be a pure myth, especially when the myth has been handed down in the oral tradition. As the stories are told, they change. If the stories don't change they just die.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

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 to change it in positive ways.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

When I'm teaching, I tell my students: It's all process. Don't even think of product.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

Hunger also changes the world - when eating can't be a habit, then neither can seeing.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

Let my life as Poet begin. I want the life of the Poet. I have labored for over twelve years, one thousand pages of prose. Now, I want the easiness of poetry. The brevity of the poem.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

The difference between mad people and sane people... is that sane people have variety when they talk-story. Mad people have only one story that they talk over and over.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

I have found things that I could have done better in 'The Woman Warrior.' But then I thought: Let the work of one's youth just stand.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

I learned to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for contradictions.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

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 life of artists.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

It seems that writing chose me. I feel that because I know history, and I know the history of so many cultures; I have lived a large life.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

I've been writing since I was 7, but before that, I was orally making stories.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

What does old look like? Sometimes I am wrinkled, sometimes not.

- Maxine Hong Kingston

When I am composing, I try to clear my mind of having to publish, or having to sell a book or find readers. That kind of thinking gets in the way.

- Maxine Hong Kingston