At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion, there must be for our race economic independence. – Booker T. Washington
Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work. – Booker T. Washington
The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race. – Booker T. Washington
Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him. – Booker T. Washington
I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed. – Booker T. Washington
There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life. – Booker T. Washington
No man, who continues to add something to the material, intellectual and moral well-being of the place in which he lives, is left long without proper reward. – Booker T. Washington
Dignify and glorify common labor. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top. – Booker T. Washington
One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him. – Booker T. Washington
Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company. – Booker T. Washington
Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the every day things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon. – Booker T. Washington
No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. – Booker T. Washington
No 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
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. – Booker T. Washington
There are two ways of exerting one’s strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up. – Booker T. Washington
We do not want the men of another color for our brothers-in-law, but we do want them for our brothers. – Booker T. Washington