It means a great deal, I think, to start off on a foundation which one has made for oneself.

I never liked the atmosphere of Washington . I early saw that it was impossible to build up a race of which the leaders were spending most of their time, thought and energy in trying to get into office, or in trying to stay there after they were in.

Whenever your life touches mine, you make me stronger of weaker... there is no escape... people drag others or lift others up.

In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.

Never let your work drive you. Master it and keep it in complete control.

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.

Political activity alone cannot make a man free. Back of the ballot, he must have property, industry, skill, economy, intelligence, and character.