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Tupac Shakur Quotes
154 Quotes to Explore the Profound Wisdom and Resonating Power of his Words

Discover the profound wisdom of Tupac Shakur through his iconic quotes. From his raw authenticity to his social commentary, delve into his thoughts on love, justice, and the inequalities of the world. Experience the power of his words that continue to resonate and inspire today.

Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an influential American rapper who addressed social issues through his music. With over 75 million records sold worldwide, Shakur is considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He grew up in a politically active family and became a central figure in West Coast hip hop with the release of his debut album in 1991. Shakur achieved critical and commercial success with albums like "All Eyez on Me," but also faced legal troubles and was involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry.

Despite facing personal challenges, Shakur made a name for himself not just as a rapper but also as an actor, starring in several films. Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he was shot multiple times in 1996 and died six days later at the age of 25. Following his death, Shakur's influence continued to grow, with posthumous albums like "Greatest Hits" and "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" receiving critical acclaim and certification. He has been recognized for his impact on the industry, being inducted into both the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2023, Shakur was honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

✵ 16. June 1971 – 13. September 1996  •  Other names 2Pac, Makaveli, Pac, Тупак Шакур
Tupac Shakur photo

Works

The Rose That Grew from Concrete
Tupac Shakur: 154 quotes1286 likes

Famous Tupac Shakur Quotes

Tupac Shakur quote: “I'm not perfect. But I'll always be real.”

“I'm not perfect. But I'll always be real.”

Tupac Shakur

“Don't live to fight, fight to live.”

Tupac Shakur

Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

“They got money for wars but they can’t feed the poor. ”

Tupac Shakur

“My mama always used to tell me: 'If you can't find somethin' to live for, you best find somethin' to die for.”

Tupac Shakur

Variant: My Mama used to tell me if u can’t find something to live for, you best find something to die for.
Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

Tupac Shakur Quotes about people

“There’s no way that Michael Jackson or whoever Jackson should have a million thousand droople billion dollars and then there’s people starving. There’s no way! There’s no way that these people should own planes and there people don’t have houses. Apartments. Shacks. Drawers. Pants! I know you’re rich. I know you got 40 billion dollars, but can you just keep it to one house? You only need ONE house. And if you only got two kids, can you just keep it to two rooms? I mean why have 52 rooms and you know there’s somebody with no room?! It just don’t make sense to me. It don’t.”

Tupac Shakur

“You gotta make a change. Its time for us as a people to start making some changes, lets change the way we eat, lets change the way we live, and lets change the way we treat each other. You see the old way wasn't working so its on us, to do what we gotta do to survive.”

Tupac Shakur

“No matter what these people say about me, my music does not glorify any image, my music is spiritual if you listen to it. It's all about emotion, it's all about life.”

Tupac Shakur

1990s, Prison interviews and interrogations (1995)

“I don't understand how people can stand next to you one year, and next year, they cannot. They're going crazy, screaming. They can't take it that you're there. But last year I was in the same club, walking around, lonely. Couldn't get a date or a dance. I was too skinny, too something, and now, "He's just adorable. He's just, oh!”

Tupac Shakur

Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

“But I know for a fact that had I had a father, I'd have some discipline. I'd have more confidence. Your mother cannot calm you down the way a man can. Your mother can't reassure you the way a man can. My mother couldn't show me where my manhood was. You need a man to teach you how to be a man. When I was young I was quiet, withdrawn. I read a lot, wrote poetry, kept a diary. I watched TV all day. I stayed in front of the television. It was when I was in front of the TV by myself, being alone in the house by myself, having to cook dinner by myself, eat by myself. Just being by myself and looking at TV, at families and all these people out there in this pretend world. I knew I could be part of it if I pretended too, So early on I just watched and emulated … and I just thirsted for that. I thought if I could be and act like those characters, act like those people, I could have some of their joy. If I could act like I had a big family I wouldn't feel as lonely.”

Tupac Shakur

Posthumous attributions, Tupac: Resurrection (2003)

“How could Reagan live in a White
House, which has a lot of rooms, and there be homelessness? And he's talking about helping. I don't believe that there is anyone that is going hungry in America simply by reason of denial or lack of ability to feed them. It is by people not knowing where or how to get this help. Why can't he take people off the street and put them in his White House? Then he'll have people from the streets to help him with his ideas. Not helpless! Homeless! Not helpless They haven't been homeless forever. They've done things in society. The White House would be tainted because he doesn't want to get dirty.”

Tupac Shakur

Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

Tupac Shakur: Trending quotes

“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete proving nature's laws wrong it learned 2 walk
without having feet”

Tupac Shakur book The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Source: The Rose That Grew from Concrete

“I am society’s child. This is how they made me and now I’m sayin’ what’s on my mind and they don’t want that. This is what you made me, America.”

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur Quotes

“Since we all came from a women, got our name from a women, and our game from a women. I wonder why we take from women, why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think its time we killed for our women, be real to our women, try to heal our women, cus if we dont we'll have a race of babies that will hate the ladies, who make the babies. And since a man can't make one he has no right to tell a women when and where to create one”

Tupac Shakur

“Only God can judge me now”

Tupac Shakur book The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Variant: Only God can judge me.
Source: The Rose That Grew from Concrete

“I didn't choose the thug life, the thug life chose me.”

Tupac Shakur

“Where There is a will
there is a will
to search and discover
a better day

Where a positive heart
is all you need
to rise beyond
and succeed

Where young minds grow
and respect each other
based on their deeds
and not their color

when times are dim
say as I say
"Where there's a will
there's a way!”

Tupac Shakur book The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Source: The Rose That Grew from Concrete

“Only God Can Judge Me
That which does not kill me can only make me stronger. I don't see why everybody feel as though that they gotta tell me how to live my
life”

Tupac Shakur

“I know it seems hard sometimes but remember one thing. Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it get, stick your chest out, keep ya head up…. and handle it.”

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur quote: “Reality is wrong. Dreams are for the real.”

“Reality is wrong. Dreams are for the real.”

Tupac Shakur

“In life there are going to be some things that make it hard to smile. Through all the rain and pain you got to keep your sense of humor and smile for me now. Remember that.”

Tupac Shakur

“You know it's funny, when it rains it pours
they got money for wars, but can't feed the poor.”

Tupac Shakur

"Keep Ya Head Up"
1990s, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (February 16, 1993)
Variant: They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor.

“You never know how strong you can be until being strong is the only choice you have left.”

Tupac Shakur book The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Source: The Rose That Grew from Concrete

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender.”

Tupac Shakur

Variant: Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender.

“I know what good morals are,
but you're supposed to disregard good morals when you're living in a crazy, bad world. If you're in hell, how can you live like an angel? You're surrounded by devils, trying to be an angel? That's like suicide.”

Tupac Shakur

Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

“Fear no man but only God”

Tupac Shakur

“Even the genius ask questions.”

Tupac Shakur

“If you can make it through the night, there's a brighter day.”

Tupac Shakur

Variant: For every dark night, there's a brighter day.

“Is it a crime to fight for what is mine?”

Tupac Shakur

“Fear is stronger than love, remember that. Fear is stronger than love, all that love I gave didn't mean nothing when it came to fear.”

Tupac Shakur

1990s, Prison interviews and interrogations (1995)

“There's gon' be some stuff you gon' see
that's gon' make it hard to smile in the future.
But through whatever you see,
through all the rain and the pain,
you gotta keep your sense of humor.
You gotta be able to smile through all this bullshit.
Remember that.”

Tupac Shakur

“Can’t sleep ‘cause all the dirt make my heart hurt”

Tupac Shakur

“If you could walk a mile in my shoes you'd be crazy too.”

Tupac Shakur

“You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could've, would've happened… or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move on.”

Tupac Shakur

Variant: You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could've, would've happened... or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move the f**k on.

“I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”

Tupac Shakur

Posthumous attributions, Tupac: Resurrection (2003)

“Today is filled with anger, fueled with hidden hate.
Scared of being outkast, afraid of common fate.
Today is build on tragedies which no one want's to face.
Nightmares to humanity and morally disgraced.
Tonight is filled with Rage, violence in the air.
Children bred with ruthlessness cause no one at home cares.
Tonight I lay my head down but the pressure never stops,
knowing that my sanity content when I'm droped.
But tomorrow I see change, a chance to build a new,
build on spirit intent of heart and ideas based on truth.
Tomorrow I wake with second wind and strong because of pride.
I know I fought with all my heart to keep the dream alive.”

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur quote: “The only time I have problems is when I sleep.”

“The only time I have problems is when I sleep.”

Tupac Shakur

“I believe that everything that you do bad comes back to you. So everything that I do that's bad, I'm going to suffer from it. But in my mind, I believe what I'm doing is right. So I feel like I'm going to heaven”

Tupac Shakur

“I'd rather die like a man, than live like a coward”

Tupac Shakur

“As wars come and go, my soldier stays eternal”

Tupac Shakur

“Forgive but don’t forget, girl keep your head up. And when he tells you you ain’t nothing, don’t believe him. And if he can’t learn to love you, you should leave him.”

Tupac Shakur

“I did not wanted to become the victim, so became the bully.”

Tupac Shakur

“Marlon Brando is not a gangster-actor, he's an actor. Axl Rose and them are not gangster rock-and-rollers, they're rock-and-rollers right. So I'm a rapper, this is what I do. I'm an artist.”

Tupac Shakur

1990s, MTV interview with Tabitha Soren (1995)

“Everybody's at war with different things… I'm at war with my own heart sometimes.”

Tupac Shakur

1990s, Vibe magazine interview (February 1996)

Tupac Shakur quote: “Fear is stronger than love.”

“Fear is stronger than love.”

Tupac Shakur

Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

“i will live by the gun and die by the gun”

Tupac Shakur

“I think being humble is sexy.”

Tupac Shakur

1990s, MTV interview with Tabitha Soren (1995)

“I want to grow. I want to be better. You Grow. We all grow. We're made to grow. You either evolve or you disappear.”

Tupac Shakur

Posthumous attributions, Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
Variant: You grow, we all grow, we're made to grow. You either evolve or disappear.

“A coward dies a thousand times, a soldier dies but once.”

Tupac Shakur

“It takes skill to be real. Time to heal each other”

Tupac Shakur

“For quiet times disappear listen to the ocean”

Tupac Shakur

“Measure a man by his actions fully, from the beginning to the end. Don't take a piece out of my life or a song out of my music and say this is what I'm about, because you know better than that.”

Tupac Shakur

1990s, Prison interviews and interrogations (1995)

“I ain't a killer, but don't push me
Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy.”

Tupac Shakur

"Hail Mary"
1990s, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)

“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature's laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping it's dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.”

Tupac Shakur book The Rose That Grew from Concrete

Source: The Rose That Grew from Concrete

“It don't stop 'til the casket drop.”

Tupac Shakur

“The same crime element that white people are scared of black people are scared of. While they waiting for legislation to pass, we next door to the killer. All them killers they let out, they're in that building. Just because we black, we get along with the killers? What is that? We need protection too.”

Tupac Shakur

Posthumous attributions, Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
Source: Resurrection, 1971-1996

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