Booker T. Washington: “The number of people who stand ready to consume one’s time, to no purpose, is almost countless.”

It was the first time in all those years that I had felt, even in a measure, free from care; and my feeling of relief it is hard to describe on paper.

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

The thing in my life which brings me the keenest regret is that my work in connection with public affairs keeps me for so much of the time away from my family, where, of all places in the world, I delight to be.

In fact, when I left France, I had more faith in the future of the black man in America than I had ever possessed.