--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My experience teaches me that if a man…" description: "\"“My experience teaches me that if a man has little or no influence with those by whose side he lives, as a rule there is something wrong with him.”\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47c/booker-t-washington-2277_power_my-experience-teaches-me-that-if-a-man-h_648090.png" --- # My experience teaches me that if a man has little or no… ![“My experience teaches me that if a man has little or no influence with those by whose side he lives, as a rule there is something wrong with him.” quote by Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47c/booker-t-washington-2277_power_my-experience-teaches-me-that-if-a-man-h_648090.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47c/booker-t-washington-2277_power_my-experience-teaches-me-that-if-a-man-h_648090.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47c/booker-t-washington-2277_power_my-experience-teaches-me-that-if-a-man-h_648090.png) > ““My experience teaches me that if a man has little or no influence with those by whose side he lives, as a rule there is something wrong with him.”” [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. A man lacking influence among those he lives with likely has personal deficiencies that need addressing. **In simple terms:** Influence among peers reflects personal character. Key Takeaway Improve personal influence and character. Themes leadership self-awareness relationships social dynamics Mood reflective motivational Type self-help inspirational When to use this quote - teamwork - family life - community leadership - mentorship Key Concepts personal development social influence psychology Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to increase influence? - How do context and personality interact? A Different Perspective Influence also depends on external circumstances, not just personal flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [Rule 1 I'm always right Rule 2 If I'm wrong please look at rule 1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jakeeza-reed/rule-1-i-m-always-right-rule-2-if-i-m-wrong-please-look-at-rule-1/) [Jakeeza Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jakeeza-reed/) > [Rule 1: I'm always right Rule 2: If I'm ever wrong, please see rule 1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coldheart/rule-1-i-m-always-right-rule-2-if-i-m-ever-wrong-please-see-rule-1/) [Coldheart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coldheart/) > [But why should I run for office and lose what little influence I have?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-silver/but-why-should-i-run-for-office-and-lose-what-little-influence-i-have/) [Ron Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-silver/) > [A small country like Georgia has little influence on conflicts that must be resolved at the global level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bidzina-ivanishvili/a-small-country-like-georgia-has-little-influence-on-conflicts-that/) [Bidzina Ivanishvili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bidzina-ivanishvili/) > [The improvements of ages have had but little influence on the essential laws of man's existence: as our skeletons, probably, are not to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-improvements-of-ages-have-had-but-little-influence-on-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“A man who has little personality has but little influence for good or otherwise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-t-croonborg/a-man-who-has-little-personality-has-but-little-influence-for-good-or/) Frederick T. Croonborg > [I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-believe-that-one-reason-why-the-church-of-god-at-this-present/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [One has very little influence upon one's children. Their characters are what they are and one can do nothing to change them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-maurois/one-has-very-little-influence-upon-one-s-children-their-characters/) [Andre Maurois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-maurois/) > [“We have, let us face it and admit it, little influence. We prey on them, and we take from them, and we get by;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/we-have-let-us-face-it-and-admit-it-little-influence-we-prey-on-them/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Conclusions arrived at through reasoning have very little or no influence in altering the course of our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/conclusions-arrived-at-through-reasoning-have-very-little-or-no/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [Experience is a poor guide to man, and is seldom followed. What really teaches a man is not experience, but observation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/experience-is-a-poor-guide-to-man-and-is-seldom-followed-what-really/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [“There is a moral to it. It teaches that a man defines himself by his make-believe as well as by his sincere impulses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/there-is-a-moral-to-it-it-teaches-that-a-man-defines-himself-by-his/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Adversity teaches a man a lot about himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/adversity-teaches-a-man-a-lot-about-himself/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [Philosophy teaches a man that he can't take it with him; taxes teach him he can't leave it behind either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mignon-mclaughlin/philosophy-teaches-a-man-that-he-can-t-take-it-with-him-taxes-teach/) [Mignon McLaughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mignon-mclaughlin/) > [If astronomy teaches anything, it teaches that man is but a detail in the evolution of the universe, and the resemblant though diverse details…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percival-lowell/if-astronomy-teaches-anything-it-teaches-that-man-is-but-a-detail-in/) [Percival Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percival-lowell/) ## 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 Power quotes > [We have to get control of our borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/we-have-to-get-control-of-our-borders/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [For us who are now in power, we need to be challenged to serve the people and ignore our own egos and personal interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangari-maathai/for-us-who-are-now-in-power-we-need-to-be-challenged-to-serve-the/) [Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangari-maathai/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [You can draw power from everything in your life. In order to do that, everything has to be set up in a proper way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-draw-power-from-everything-in-your-life-in-order-to-do-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The one means that wins the easiest victory over reason is terror and force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-one-means-that-wins-the-easiest-victory-over-reason-is-terror-and/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [Next to the assumption of power was the responsibility of relinquishing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/next-to-the-assumption-of-power-was-the-responsibility-of/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillips-brooks/do-not-pray-for-tasks-equal-to-your-powers-pray-for-powers-equal-to/) [Phillips Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillips-brooks/) > [With every product, the delta between the brand and the reality determines its power over the minds of consumers, and with Trump, that delta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wilson/with-every-product-the-delta-between-the-brand-and-the-reality/) [Rick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wilson/) > [If you have everything under control, you're not moving fast enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/if-you-have-everything-under-control-you-re-not-moving-fast-enough/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [“The power of imagination is strongest in the place of solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/the-power-of-imagination-is-strongest-in-the-place-of-solitude/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. 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