The actual sight of a first-class house that a Negro has built is ten times more potent than pages of discussion about a house that he ought to build, or perhaps could build.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
Remember that everyone's life is measured by the power that individual has to make the world better-this is all life is.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life's value is determined by the positive impact one has on the world.
In this quote, Booker T. Washington emphasizes that the true measure of a person's life lies in their ability to contribute positively to society. He suggests that the essence of existence is intertwined with the actions we take to improve the lives of others and the world around us, urging individuals to recognize their potential for making a difference.
Themes
LifeServiceImpactBettermentMeaning
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about community engagement, this quote can inspire individuals to take action.
More from Booker T. Washington
All quotes βLeaders have devoted themselves to politics, little knowing, it seems _x000D_ that political independence disappears without economic independence _x000D_ that economic independence is the foundation of political independence.
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You go to school, you study about the Germans and the French, but not about your own race. I hope the time will come when you study black history too.
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Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.
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I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.
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If I have done anything in life worth attention, I feel sure that I inherited the disposition from my mother.
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