Harper Lee's most inspiring quotes

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of those rare novels American school kids are forced to read and discover they actually like. It's a work of fiction set against the reality of the segregated and racist southern United States.

It's also a story whose characters - chief among them Atticus Finch, the small-town lawyer and defender of a black man accused of rape, and his naive and idealistic daughter, Scout - serve as role models for generations of readers growing up.

More than 50 years after first publishing her book, Harper Lee's words continue to inspire people. Here are some of her most powerful quotes from "To Kill a Mockingbird." Many of them are now being shared on Twitter as a tribute to the author's memory and her powerful work of literature.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."

Here's a quote many are picking up on at the moment as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what one believes in:

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

"There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible."

Germany's Justice Minister Heiko Maas quotes a phrase from Atticus Finch about prejudice and passing judgement:

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."

This one is particularly pertinent for journalists: "Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I'd have the facts."

And this quote is for all who just can't live without good books: "Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."

Do you have a favorite quote from Harper Lee? Share it with us on Twitter at @dwnews.