Booker T. Washington: “When they saw that I was not afraid or ashamed to work, they began to assist with more enthusiasm.”

Ever since I have been old enough to think for myself, I have entertained the idea that, notwithstanding the cruel wrongs inflicted upon us, the black man got nearly as much out of slavery as the white man did.

I pity from the bottom of my heart any nation or body of people that is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery.

I have never seen one who did not want to be free, or one who would return to slavery.

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