You must understand the troubles of that man farthest down before you can help him.

The negro has within him immense power for self-uplifting, but for years it will be necessary to guide and stimulate him.

We do not want the men of another color for our brothers-in-law, but we do want them for our brothers.

I early learned that it is a hard matter to convert an individual by abusing him, and that this is more often accomplished by giving credit for all the praiseworthy actions performed than by calling attention alone to all the evil done.

No white American ever thinks that any other race is wholly civilized until he wears the white man’s clothes, eats the white man’s food, speaks the white man’s language, and professes the white man’s religion.

No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.

Lay hold of something that will help you, and then use it to help somebody else.