--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An inch of progress is worth a yard of…" description: "\"An inch of progress is worth a yard of complaint.\" — Booker T. Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/booker-t-washington-2277_complaints_an-inch-of-progress-is-worth-a-yard-of-c_443629.png" --- # An inch of progress is worth a yard of complaint. ![“An inch of progress is worth a yard of complaint.” quote by Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/booker-t-washington-2277_complaints_an-inch-of-progress-is-worth-a-yard-of-c_443629.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/booker-t-washington-2277_complaints_an-inch-of-progress-is-worth-a-yard-of-c_443629.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f36/booker-t-washington-2277_complaints_an-inch-of-progress-is-worth-a-yard-of-c_443629.png) > “An inch of progress is worth a yard of complaint.” [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Small, steady improvements are more valuable than excessive complaining. **In simple terms:** Progress beats complaint. Key Takeaway Focus on incremental gains. Themes self‑improvement optimism productivity Mood hopeful pragmatic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - Personal development - team projects - learning new skills - community initiatives Key Concepts Growth mindset efficiency complaint avoidance Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn complaints into actionable steps? - What small win can you achieve today? A Different Perspective Complaints can sometimes highlight needed change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complaints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaints/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) ## Related quotes > [An inch of progress is worth more than a yard of complaint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/an-inch-of-progress-is-worth-more-than-a-yard-of-complaint/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Every inch of progress is won in struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katha-pollitt/every-inch-of-progress-is-won-in-struggle/) [Katha Pollitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katha-pollitt/) > [Four inch nails is more like it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-love/four-inch-nails-is-more-like-it/) [Courtney Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-love/) > [Ageing is a blessing, and I feel every inch of 46.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-reid/ageing-is-a-blessing-and-i-feel-every-inch-of-46/) [Susanna Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-reid/) > [Give an inch, he'll take an mile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverb/give-an-inch-he-ll-take-an-mile/) Proverb > [“Give a man an inch and he’ll call himself a ruler,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wax/give-a-man-an-inch-and-he-ll-call-himself-a-ruler/) [Wendy Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wax/) > [I'm four minutes older. Of all the competitions in our life, I won the first one. Though Drew is a quarter inch taller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-scott/i-m-four-minutes-older-of-all-the-competitions-in-our-life-i-won-the/) [Jonathan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-scott/) > [I love James Taylor, Jeff Buckley, Elliott Smith and Nine Inch Nails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-wolff/i-love-james-taylor-jeff-buckley-elliott-smith-and-nine-inch-nails/) [Nat Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-wolff/) > [It probably wasn't until Nine Inch Nails played the first Lollapalooza that I actually went to a festival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/it-probably-wasn-t-until-nine-inch-nails-played-the-first/) [Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/) > [I don't think I'm an entertainer. I never think, 'Wow, I can't wait to get the crowd moving.' Some of my favorite bands never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-ocasek/i-don-t-think-i-m-an-entertainer-i-never-think-wow-i-can-t-wait-to/) [Ric Ocasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-ocasek/) > [A thousand painters ought to be killed yearly. Say what you like: I'm every inch a painter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/a-thousand-painters-ought-to-be-killed-yearly-say-what-you-like-i-m/) [Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/) > [I am very, very old-fashioned and clumsy. I use those long reporter notebooks. This is what a troglodyte I am. The night before I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-quammen/i-am-very-very-old-fashioned-and-clumsy-i-use-those-long-reporter/) [David Quammen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-quammen/) > [Ali had a break that was an inch and a half long, and you keep getting hit as hard and as much as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-norton/ali-had-a-break-that-was-an-inch-and-a-half-long-and-you-keep-getting/) [Ken Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-norton/) > [I'm usually a pretty intense person. Give me an inch, and I'm going to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-plank/i-m-usually-a-pretty-intense-person-give-me-an-inch-and-i-m-going-to/) [Kevin Plank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-plank/) > [“Give an inch, he'll take an ell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/give-an-inch-he-ll-take-an-ell/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) ## More by Booker T. Washington > [“There are some things that one individual can do for another, and there are some things that one race can do for another. But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/there-are-some-things-that-one-individual-can-do-for-another-and/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/think-about-it-we-went-into-slavery-pagans-we-came-out-christians-we/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [I let no man drag me down so low as to make me hate him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/i-let-no-man-drag-me-down-so-low-as-to-make-me-hate-him/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-wisest-among-my-race-understand-that-agitations-of-social/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/i-began-learning-long-ago-that-those-who-are-happiest-are-those-who/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [If you truly want to measure the success of a man, you do not measure it by a position he has achieved, but by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/if-you-truly-want-to-measure-the-success-of-a-man-you-do-not-measure/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The time will come when the Negro in the South will be accorded all the political rights which his ability, character, and material possessions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-time-will-come-when-the-negro-in-the-south-will-be-accorded-all/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Kada smo u kontaktu sa drugim čovekom, mi mu ili pomažemo ili smetamo. Nema trećeg: ili ga vučemo na dole, ili ga izvlačimo na…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/kada-smo-u-kontaktu-sa-drugim-ovekom-mi-mu-ili-poma-emo-ili-smetamo/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/excellence-is-to-do-a-common-thing-in-an-uncommon-way/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [We must reinforce argument with results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/we-must-reinforce-argument-with-results/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Mere connection with what is known as a superior race will not permanently carry an individual forward unless the individual has worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/mere-connection-with-what-is-known-as-a-superior-race-will-not/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [No race that has anything to contribute to the markets of the world is long in any degree ostracized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/no-race-that-has-anything-to-contribute-to-the-markets-of-the-world/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The highest test of the civilization of any race is in its willingness to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-highest-test-of-the-civilization-of-any-race-is-in-its/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The Negro is not the man farthest down. The condition of the coloured farmer in the most backward parts of the Southern States of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-negro-is-not-the-man-farthest-down-the-condition-of-the-coloured/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“it takes no more time to be polite to every one than it does to be rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/it-takes-no-more-time-to-be-polite-to-every-one-than-it-does-to-be/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) [Explore all 174 Booker T. Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) ## More Complaints quotes > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Gratitude is the law of increase, and complaint is the law of decrease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-scovel-shinn/gratitude-is-the-law-of-increase-and-complaint-is-the-law-of-decrease/) [Florence Scovel Shinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-scovel-shinn/) > [I was so drunk last night I fell down and missed the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-martin/i-was-so-drunk-last-night-i-fell-down-and-missed-the-floor/) [Dean Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-martin/) > [Wherever I am, I see the yoke on women in some form or another. On some it sits easy for they are but beasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-may-alcott/wherever-i-am-i-see-the-yoke-on-women-in-some-form-or-another-on-some/) [Abby May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-may-alcott/) > [My mother spoke of Christ to my father, by her feminine and childlike virtues, and, after having borne his violence without a murmur or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/my-mother-spoke-of-christ-to-my-father-by-her-feminine-and-childlike/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [The greatest form of maturity is at harvest time. This is when we must learn how to reap without complaint if the amounts are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/the-greatest-form-of-maturity-is-at-harvest-time-this-is-when-we-must/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I've had diseases that lasted longer than my marriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-carter/i-ve-had-diseases-that-lasted-longer-than-my-marriages/) [Nell Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-carter/) > [A prudent pharmacist often vends something for your complaint. But wine merchant you do this invariably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-campion/a-prudent-pharmacist-often-vends-something-for-your-complaint-but/) [Thomas Campion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-campion/) > [“If you believe that the world is conspiring against you, it will just do that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/if-you-believe-that-the-world-is-conspiring-against-you-it-will-just/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Writing as a woman presents enormous problems but I have attempted it several times and haven't had many complaints.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/writing-as-a-woman-presents-enormous-problems-but-i-have-attempted-it/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [Sometimes I feel like an old hooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cher/sometimes-i-feel-like-an-old-hooker/) [Cher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cher/) > [You could at least complain,” I say. “I adore complaining. It calms the nerves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-billingsley/you-could-at-least-complain-i-say-i-adore-complaining-it-calms-the/) [Franny Billingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-billingsley/) > [I think that it's extraordinarily important that we in computer science keep fun in computing. When it started out, it was an awful lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-perlis/i-think-that-it-s-extraordinarily-important-that-we-in-computer/) [Alan Perlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-perlis/) > [I've always been a happy-go-lucky person. I haven't got any dark tales, I didn't draw on my own past, I'm from a very normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicky-mcclure/i-ve-always-been-a-happy-go-lucky-person-i-haven-t-got-any-dark-tales/) [Vicky McClure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicky-mcclure/) [Browse all 597 Complaints quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaints/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An inch of progress is worth a yard of complaint.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Booker T. 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