Biography Quote by Booker T. Washington
““From his example in this respect, I learned the lesson that great men cultivate love, and that only little men cherish a spirit of hatred. I learned that assistance given to the weak makes the one who gives it strong, and that oppression of the unfortunate makes one weak. It is now long ago that I learned this lesson from General Armstrong, and resolved that I would permit no man, no matter what his color might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Up From Slavery, Booker T. Washington, 1901
Cultivating love and helping the weak strengthens character, while hatred and oppression weaken both the oppressor and the oppressed.
In simple terms: Love strengthens, hatred weakens.
Key Takeaway
Practice empathy and aid the vulnerable.
Themes
morality
empathy
strength
Mood
hopeful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- community service
- conflict mediation
- education reform
Key Concepts
Human dignity
social justice
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance aid with empowerment?
- What steps prevent hatred from taking root?
A Different Perspective
Some may view assistance as enabling dependency.
