At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion, there must be for our race economic independence.

Do not do that which others can do as well.

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.

I think I have learned that the best way to lift one's self up is to help someone else.

The man who has learned to do something better than anyone else, has learned to do a common thing in an uncommon manner, is the man who has a power and influence that no adverse circumstances can take from him.

The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing.

There is no defense or security for any of us except in the highest intelligence and development of all.