Slavery is nothing to joke about. The history of this nation's involvement with slavery is nothing to pass off in a joke.
Douglas WilderRead
There will be those who will tell you that you can't make it because of how you look, because of the way you talk. We all have heard that - I almost listened.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Don't let others' opinions about your appearance or speech deter you from achieving your goals.
This quote emphasizes the negativity that can stem from external judgments based on superficial characteristics like looks or speech. Douglas Wilder shares a profound reminder that while we may face criticism or doubt from others, it is crucial to remain resilient and not let these distractions deter us from our aspirations and self-worth.
Themes
JudgmentPerseveranceSelf-EsteemResilienceAppearance
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech to high school students, I used this quote to encourage them to stay true to themselves despite peer pressure.
More from Douglas Wilder
All quotes →Similar quotes
If you just work on stuff that you like and you're passionate about, you don't have to have a master plan with how things will play out.
Mark ZuckerbergRead
Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenges, wish for more wisdom. The major value in life is not what you get. The major value in life is what you become. Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.
Jim RohnRead
If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.
Corrie Ten BoomRead
Like stones rolling down hills, fair ideas reach their objectives despite all obstacles and barriers. It may be possible to speed or hinder them, but impossible to stop them.
Jose MartiRead
A Winner's Blueprint for Achievement BELIEVE while others are doubting. PLAN while others are playing. STUDY while others are sleeping. DECIDE while others are delaying. PREPARE while others are daydreaming. BEGIN while others are procrastinating. WORK while others are wishing. SAVE while others are wasting. LISTEN while others are talking. SMILE while others are frowning. COMMEND while others are criticizing. PERSIST while others are quitting.
William Arthur WardRead
Confidence is believing in your own ability, knowing what you have to do to win. My confidence was developed through preparation.
Jack NicklausRead