Dignify and glorify common labor. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top.

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.

Let our opportunities overshadow our grievances.

You may fill your heads with knowledge or skillfully train your hands, but unless it is based upon high, upright character, upon a true heart, it will amount to nothing. You will be no better than the most ignorant.

In the long run, the world is going to have the best, and any difference in race, religion, or previous history will not keep the world from what it wants.

It often requires more courage to suffer in silence than to rebel, more courage not to strike back than to retaliate, more courage to be silent than to speak.

We must reinforce argument with results.