Booker T. Washington: “I had been born and largely reared in the lowest depths of slavery, ignorance, and poverty.”

Having once got its tentacles fastened on to the economic and social life of the Republic, it was no easy matter for the country to relieve itself of the institution.

I never saw a man who so completely lost sight of himself.

From the time that I can remember anything, almost every day of my life had been occupied in some kind of labour; though I think I would now be a more useful man if I had had time for sports.

The Negro boy has obstacles, discouragements, and temptations to battle with that are little known to those not situated as he is.