I believe that one always does himself and his audience an injustice when he speaks merely for the sake of speaking. I do not believe that one should speak unless, deep down in his heart, he feels convinced that he has a message to deliver.

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.

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

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

The happiest people are those who do the most for others. The most miserable are those who do the least.

The highest test of the civilization of any race is in its willingness to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate.

It is important and right that all privileges of the law be ours, but it is vastly more important that we be prepared for the exercise of those privileges.