Benjamin E. Mays
Benjamin E. Mays
Benjamin Elijah Mayswas an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights, and the progression of political rights of African Americans in America. He was active working with world leaders, such as John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and John D. Rockefeller, in improving the social standing of minorities in politics, education, and business...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEducator
Date of Birth1 August 1895
CountryUnited States of America
Benjamin E. Mays quotes about
The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream...It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin.
Whatever you do,strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet to be born could do it any better.
It is not your environment, it is you- the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul and the determination of your will that will decide your future and shape your life.
The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing too little. Not in you living above your means, but below your capacity. It's not failure but aiming too low, that is life's greatest tragedy.
It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.
He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.
Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.
Whatever you do, do it so well that people looking on will feel that the task was reserved especially for you by God Himself.
It isn't more light we need, it isn't more truth, and it isn't more scientific data. It is more Christ, more courage, more spiritual insight to act on the light we have.
It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.
We, today, stand on the shoulders of our predecessors who have gone before us. We, as their successors, must catch the torch of freedom and liberty passed on to us by our ancestors. We cannot lose in this battle.
A child must learn early to believe that she is somebody worthwhile, and that she can do many praiseworthy things.
You have the ability, now apply yourself.
[H]owever hard the road, however difficult today, tomorrow things will be better. Tomorrow may not be better, but we must believe that it will be.