The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.

World peace and brotherhood are based on a common understanding of the contributions and cultures of all races and creeds

Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living.

Greatness is largely a social accident, and almost always socially supported.

We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.

The drums of Africa still beat in my heart. They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth.

I thought, maybe the difference between white folks and colored is just this matter of reading and writing. I made up my mind I would know my letters.