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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

“We shall prosper as we learn to do the common things of life in an uncommon way. Let down your buckets where you are.”

Way Common Where You Are Uncommon Buckets Let Down Common Things

Author:Booker T. Washington

“...those who are guilty of such sweeping criticisms [of the rich] do not know how many people would be made poor, and how much sufering would result, if wealthy people were to part all at once with any large proportion of their wealth in a way to disorganize and cripple great business enterprises.”

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“There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.”

Way Two Success Black Strength Positive Diversity Weakness Encouragement Social Justice African American Presidential Pushing Inner Strength Pulling Two Ways Strength And Weakness Pushing Ourselves

Book:Address of Booker T. Washington, Principal of the Tuskegee Normal & Industrial Institute: Before the National Educational Association, St. Louis, Missouri, June 30, 1904

Source: Address of Booker T. Washington, Principal of the Tuskegee Normal & Industrial Institute: Before the National Educational Association, St. Louis, Missouri, June 30, 1904

“Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.”

Way Inspirational Leadership Common Effort Perfection Excellence Athlete Uncommon Common Things Striving For Perfection Striving For Excellence

Author: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.”

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

“In order to be successful in any undertaking, I think the main thing is for one to grow to the point where he completely forgets himself; that is, to lose himself in a great cause. In proportion as one loses himself in this way, in the same degree does he get the highest happiness out of his work.”

Thinking Way Doe Order Grows Causes Loses Forget Successful Degrees Highest Proportion Being Successful Undertakings

Book:Papers: The Autobiographical Writings

Source: Papers: The Autobiographical Writings

“In my contact with people, I find that, as a rule, it is only the little, narrow people who live for themselves, who never read good books, who do not travel, who never open up their souls in a way to permit them to come into contact with other souls – with the great outside world.”