Up from Slavery - An Autobiography

by Booker T. Washington

have begun everything with the idea that I could succeed, and I never

This is going to be a new life motto of mine.

I would permit no man, no matter what his colour might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.

Honestly, this is a great way to think, but I'd imagine it to be hard to practice.

always suffer intensely from nervousness before speaking. More than once, just before I was to make an important address, this nervous strain has been so great that I have resolved never again to speak in public.

I'm not alone...