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Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington Quotes

Educator

Booker T. Washington was an influential African American educator, author, orator, and advisor to several U.S. presidents. He was a prominent figure in the African-American community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his advocacy of vocational education and economic empowerment for African Americans. Washington founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, which evolved into Tuskegee University. He emphasized the importance of self-help and economic independence over immediate political and social reforms.

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Famous Booker T. Washington Quotes

“If no other consideration had convinced me of the value of the Christian life, the Christ like work which the Church of all denominations in America has done during the last 35 years for the elevation of the black man would have made me a Christian.”

Ifs Men Years Made Done Christian Lasts America Values Black Christ Church Convinced Christian Life Consideration Elevation Denominations Christ Like

Author:Booker T. Washington

“I 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.”

Believe Done Values I Believe Common Race Succeed Proportion Indispensable Uncommon Common Man Common Things

Book:Up from Slavery

Source: Up from Slavery

“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.”

Feels Done Effort Race Greater Youth Diversity Social Justice Merit Injury Express Yourself

Book:The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1912-14

Source: The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1912-14

“The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of his race.”

World Way Want Ends Done Individual Can Do Race End Of The World Can Do Something

Book:Up from Slavery: An Autobiography

Source: Up from Slavery: An Autobiography

“I early learned that it is a hard matter to convert an individual by abusing him, and that this is more often accomplished by giving credit for all the praiseworthy actions performed than by calling attention alone to all the evil done.”

Giving Matter Hard Done Action Evil Individual Attention Calling Credit Accomplished Praiseworthy Giving Credit

Book:The Booker T. Washington Reader

Source: The Booker T. Washington Reader

“The thing to do when one feels sure that he has said or done the right thing and is condemned, is to stand still and keep quiet. If he is right, time will show it.”

Ifs Feels Said Stills Done Shows Quiet Things To Do Right Thing Right Time

Book:The Booker T. Washington Reader

Source: The Booker T. Washington Reader

“Too often the educational value of doing well what is done, however little, is overlooked. One thing well done prepares the mind to do the next thing better. Not how much, but how well, should be the motto. One problem thoroughly understood is of more value than a score poorly mastered.”

Should Mind Wells Littles Done Problem Values Next Education One Thing Understood Educational Score Motto Well Done Overlooked

Author:Booker T. Washington

“Let us keep before us the fact that, almost without exception, every race or nation that has ever got upon its feet has done so through struggle and trial and persecution; and that out of this very resistance to wrong, out of the struggle against odds, they have gained strength, self-confidence, and experience which they could not have gained in any other way.”

Way Self Done Facts Nations Race Struggle Feet Self Confidence Trials Resistance Patriotism Exception Odds Persecution Against The Odds

Book:The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1903-4

Source: The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1903-4

“If I have done anything in life worth attention, I feel sure that I inherited the disposition from my mother.”

Source: Up from Slavery: An Autobiography

About the Author

Born: April 5, 1856
Died: November 14, 1915
Known for: Educator
Quotes: 133

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Books & Sources

The Booker T. Washington ReaderRelated source material

Up from SlaveryRelated source material

Papers: The Autobiographical WritingsRelated source material

A Will to Be FreeRelated source material

Black-belt Diamonds: Gems from the Speeches, Addresses, and Talks to Students of Booker T. Washington ...Related source material

Up from Slavery: An AutobiographyRelated source material

The Booker T. Washington PapersRelated source material

Up from Slavery: Top BiographyRelated source material

The Booker T. Washington Papers: 1899-1900Related source material

Three African-American Classics: Up from Slavery, The Souls of Black Folk and Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassRelated source material

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