Booker T. Washington: “The ignorant man will always be ignorant, if he fears that by asking for information he will betray his lack of…”

If my life in the past has meant anything in the lifting up of my people and the bringing about of better relations between your race and mine, I assure you from this day it will mean doubly more.

By it a race must rise or fall, succeed or fail, and in the last analysis mere sentiment counts for little.

Despite superficial and temporary signs which might lead one to entertain a contrary opinion, there was never a time when I felt more hopeful for the race than I do at the present.

This country demands that every race shall measure itself by the American standard.