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
There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Strength can be used to harm or to help; the choice is ours.
This quote by Booker T. Washington highlights the dual nature of strength and power, suggesting that we can either use our strength to oppress others or to uplift and support them. It emphasizes the moral responsibility that comes with power: to choose actions that positively impact others and foster growth, rather than using strength for negative purposes.
Themes
StrengthHelpUpliftResponsibilityPower
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about leadership, one could say, 'As Booker T. Washington said, there are two ways of exerting one's strength: pushing down or pulling up.'
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.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
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.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
If I have done anything in life worth attention, I feel sure that I inherited the disposition from my mother.
Booker T. WashingtonRead
Similar quotes
Our Apostolic Mandate requires from Us that We watch over the purity of the Faith and the integrity of Catholic discipline. It requires from Us that We protect the faithful from evil and error; especially so when evil and error are presented in dynamic language which, concealing vague notions and ambiguous expressions with emotional and high-sounding words, is likely to set ablaze the hearts of men in pursuit of ideals which, whilst attractive, are nonetheless nefarious.
Pope Pius XRead
Follow not truth too near the heels, lest it dash out thy teeth.
George HerbertRead
Esoteric or inner knowledge is no different from other kinds of human knowledge and ability. It is a mystery for the average person only to the extent that writing is a mystery for those who have not yet learned to write.
Rudolf SteinerRead
The men and women who are truly filled with light are those who have gazed deeply into the darkness of their own imperfect existence.
Brennan ManningRead
God has bestowed upon you intelligence and knowledge. Do not extinguish the lamp of Divine Grace and do not let the candle of wisdom die out in the darkness of lust and error. For a wise man approaches with his torch to light up the path of mankind.
Khalil GibranRead
I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.
Albert EinsteinRead