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
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.
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.
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.
integrity race individual
A race, like an individual, lifts itself up by lifting others up.
opportunity grievance
Let our opportunities overshadow our grievances.
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.
men helping trouble
You must understand the troubles of that man farthest down before you can help him.
christian thinking hands
Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens. We went into slavery with chains clanking about our wrists; we came out with the American ballot in our hands...
hate men color
I learned the lesson that great men cultivate love, and that only little men cherish a spirit of hatred. I resolved then that I would permit no man, no matter what his color, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.