“A man’s reading program should be as carefully planned as his daily diet, for that too is food, without which he cannot grow mentally.”

He that cannot reason is a fool. He that will not is a bigot. He that dare not is a slave.

A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.

We cannot afford to lose the Negro. We have urgent need of all and more. Let us therefore turn our efforts to making the best of him.

I am as a speck of dust in the sun, and not even so much, in this solemn, mysterious, unknowable universe.

As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.

When fate hands us a lemon, let’s try to make lemonade.

As I grow older, I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do.

TEAMWORK: the fuel that allows common people attain uncommon results.

All human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes.

There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.

Perhaps the most tragic thing about mankind is that we are all dreaming about some magical garden over the horizon, instead of enjoying the roses that are right outside today.

No man becomes rich unless he enriches others

And while the law of competition may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race because it ensures the survival of the fittest in every department.

East or West Home is best.

No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or to get all the credit for doing it

air castles are often within our grasp late in life, but then they charm not.

Never be so busy as not to think of others.

Everything that happens, happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.

I don’t care that they stole my idea. I care that they don’t have any of their own

I think it’s healthy for a person to be nervous. It means you care.

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.

I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!

I care not for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.

Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead and understand that the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest.