The quote database

The beginning of wise living lies in the control of the brain by the will; so that the brain may act according to the precepts which the brain itself gives.

If you are not prepared for discouragements and disillusions; if you will not be content with a small result for a big effort, then do not begin.

In the realm of time there is no aristocracy of wealth, and no aristocracy of intellect.

My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution.

While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.

The oath taken in the presence of the people becomes a mutual covenant.

No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.

It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top. Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities.

Cast down your bucket where you are.

My experience has been that the time to test a true gentleman is to observe him when he is in contact with individuals of a race that is less fortunate than his own.

Nothing ever comes to me, that is worth having, except as the result of hard work.

Ever since then I have had no patience with any school for my race in the South which did not teach its students the dignity of labour.

My life had its beginning in the midst of the most miserable, desolate, and discouraging surroundings.

I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed

I have begun everything with the idea that I could succeed, and I never had much patience with the multitudes of people who are always ready to explain why one cannot succeed.

Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.

My experience is that there is something in human nature which always makes an individual recognize and reward merit, no matter under what colour of skin merit is found.

out of the hard and unusual struggle through which he is compelled to pass, he gets a strength, a confidence, that one misses whose pathway is comparatively smooth

I will not say that I became discouraged, for as I now look back over my life I do not recall that I ever became discouraged over anything that I set out to accomplish.

We cannot get upon our feet, as a people, until we learn the saving habit; until we learn to save every nickel, every dime and every dollar that we can spare.

If we would be great, and good, and useful, we must pay the price. And remember that when we get down to the fundamental principles of truth, nature draws no colour line.

I want you to make up your minds that you are going to be more nearly perfect, are going to put more manly and womanly strength into the preparation of your lessons each day, that you may be more useful.

Any one can seek a job, but it requires a person of rare ability to create a job.

Make up your minds that you are going to overcome every discouragement, and that you are not going to let any discouragement overcome you.

There are but two directions in this life in which you can grow; backward or forward.