In order to be successful in any undertaking, I think the main thing is for one to grow to the point where he completely forgets himself; that is, to lose himself in a great cause. In proportion as one loses himself in this way, in the same degree does he get the highest happiness out of his work.
Booker T. WashingtonNo white American ever thinks that any other race is wholly civilized until he wears the white manโs clothes, eats the white manโs food, speaks the white manโs language, and professes the white manโs religion.
Booker T. WashingtonI 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.
Booker T. WashingtonThere are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.
Booker T. WashingtonNo greater injury can be done to any youth than to let him feel that because he belongs to this or that race he will be advanced in life regardless of his own merits or efforts.
Booker T. Washington