Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washingtonwas an American educator, author, orator, and advisor to presidents of the United States. Between 1890 and 1915, Washington was the dominant leader in the African-American community...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTeacher
Date of Birth5 April 1856
CountryUnited States of America
way buckets common
We shall prosper as we learn to do the common things of life in an uncommon way. Let down your buckets where you are.
common labor bottom
Dignify and glorify common labor. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top.
character rights political
The time will come when the Negro in the South will be accorded all the political rights which his ability, character, and material possessions entitle him to.
mean thinking foundation
It means a great deal, I think, to start off on a foundation which one has made for oneself.
race connections individual
Mere connection with what is known as a superior race will not permanently carry an individual forward unless the individual has worth.
integrity race individual
A race, like an individual, lifts itself up by lifting others up.
opportunity grievance
Let our opportunities overshadow our grievances.
uplifting self years
The negro has within him immense power for self-uplifting, but for years it will be necessary to guide and stimulate him.
ideas may want
From some things that I have said one may get the idea that some of the slaves did not want freedom. This is not true. I have never seen one who did not want to be free, or one who would return to slavery.
hate men lows
I shall never permit myself to stoop so low as to hate any man.
wells can-do
Do not do that which others can do as well.
education mind done
Too often the educational value of doing well what is done, however little, is overlooked. One thing well done prepares the mind to do the next thing better. Not how much, but how well, should be the motto. One problem thoroughly understood is of more value than a score poorly mastered.
believe race done
I believe that my race will succeed in proportion as it learns to do a common thing in an uncommon manner; learns to do a thing so thoroughly that no one can improve upon what it has done; learns to make its services of indispensable value.
sight class house
The actual sight of a first-class house that a Negro has built is ten times more potent than pages of discussion about a house that he ought to build, or perhaps could build.