Booker T. Washington

I felt that I had reached the promised land, and I resolved to let no obstacle prevent me from putting forth the highest effort to fit myself to accomplish the most good in the world.

I had the feeling that in a large measure my future depended upon the impression I made upon the teacher in the cleaning of that room.

I repeat my belief that the world is growing in the direction of giving.

The young men and women were determined to secure an education at any cost.

The older I grow, the more I am convinced that there is no education which one can get from books and costly apparatus that is equal to that which can be gotten from contact with great men and women.

Instead of studying books so constantly, how I wish that our schools and colleges might learn to study men and things!

I have always looked upon fame as something to be used in accomplishing good.

I was determined from the first to make my work as janitor so valuable that my services would be indispensable.

Nearly all had had enough actual contact with the world to teach them the need of education.

The great and prevailing idea that seemed to take possession of every one was to prepare himself to lift up the people at his home.

At night, and between meals, I found considerable time for study and reading; and in this direction I improved myself very much during the summer.

One thing I was determined to do from the first, and that was to keep the credit of the school high; and this, I think I can say without boasting, we have done all through these years.