Audre Lorde Quotes
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) was an American poet, essayist, and activist whose work explored the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. Her writing gave voice to those who had been silenced and her words on self-care, identity, and radical self-love have only grown more resonant with time. In her essay A Burst of Light, Lorde declared that caring for oneself is an act of political warfare — a phrase that redefined self-care for generations of readers.
Quotes by Audre Lorde
Return to these words whenever you need a reminder that self-love is not a destination but a daily practice. The wisdom of Audre Lorde invites you to look inward with honesty and tenderness — and to choose, again and again, to be on your own side. Explore more on our Self-Love Quotes page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Audre Lorde say about self-care?
Lorde wrote: Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare — reframing self-care as a form of resistance rather than luxury.
What are Audre Lorde's most notable works?
Her key works include the poetry collection Coal, the prose-poem The Cancer Journals, Zami: A Biomythography, and the essay collection Sister Outsider.
Why is Audre Lorde still relevant today?
Her insistence on the full complexity of human identity and her vision of radical self-love as both personal healing and social action speaks directly to the challenges many face today.