Bread Upon the Waters

 THE FINAL SAY

Quotations (from the Bible and James Baldwin)

in a pair for comparison

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

     --The Bible: Ecclesiastes 11:1 (King James Version)

In other words:

People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes back to them, poisoned.

     --James Baldwin (1924-1987)

Read more about James Baldwin.

Biography of James Baldwin (1924-1987) : Poets.org

On this day in 1924, American writer James Baldwin was born in Harlem. To read a biography of him, click here.

Untitled poem by James Baldwin (1924-1987) : The Poetry Foundation

"Lord, / when you send the rain / think about it, please, / a little?" So begins an untitled poem by American writer James Baldwin, who was born on this day in 1924. To read that poem in its entirety, click here.