I read "Up From Slavery" and then my dream - if I may so call it - of being a race leader dawned.

The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity.

God and Nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own created genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law. Let the sky and God be our limit and Eternity our measurement.

I have no desire to take all black people back to Africa; there are blacks who are no good here and will likewise be no good there.

Africa for the Africans... at home and abroad!

We must give up the silly idea of folding our hands and waiting on God to do everything for us. If God had intended for that, then he would not have given us a mind. Whatever you want in life, you must make up your mind to do it for yourself.

Up, you mighty race, accomplish what you will.