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.
Washington shares a fundamental lesson he learned about the effectiveness of persuasion, advocating for positive reinforcement over criticism.
Share
More from Booker T. Washington
I have always looked upon fame as something to be used in accomplishing good.
Despite this disappointment, however, I determined that I would learn something, anyway.
Until that question was asked it had never occurred to me that there was no period of my life that was devoted to play.
When freedom came, the slaves were almost as well fitted to begin life anew as the master, except in the matter of book-learning and ownership of property.