The whole world opened to me when I learned to read. Mary McLeod Bethune More Quotes by Mary McLeod Bethune More Quotes From Mary McLeod Bethune Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world. Mary McLeod Bethune self believe world A woman is free if she lives by her own standards and creates her own destiny, if she prizes her individuality and puts no boundaries on her hopes for tomorrow. Mary McLeod Bethune individuality destiny tomorrow We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends. Mary McLeod Bethune unlimited-potential powerful courage If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves. We should, therefore, protest openly everything ... that smacks of discrimination or slander. Mary McLeod Bethune racism responsibility peace I leave you love. I leave you hope. I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in one another. I leave you respect for the use of power. I leave you faith. I leave you racial dignity. Mary McLeod Bethune power challenges peace I plunged into the job of creating something from nothing.... Though I hadn't a penny left, I considered cash money as the smallest part of my resources. I had faith in a living God, faith in myself, and a desire to serve. Mary McLeod Bethune faith jobs life Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living. Mary McLeod Bethune women acceptance life Faith is the first factor in a life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. Mary McLeod Bethune faith peace life To those of you with your years of service still ahead, the challenge is yours. Stop doubting yourselves. Have the courage to make up your minds and hold your decisions. Refuse to be BOUGHT for a nickel, or a million dollars, or a job! Mary McLeod Bethune decision jobs years In each experience of my life, I have had to step out of one little space of the known light, into a large area of darkness. I had to stand awhile in the darkness, and then gradually God has given me light. But not to linger in. For as soon as that light has felt familiar, then the call has always come to step out ahead again into new darkness. Mary McLeod Bethune space faith courage We live in a world which respects power above all things. Power, intelligently directed, can lead to more freedom. Unwisely directed, it can be a dreadful, destructive force. Mary McLeod Bethune force power world Our children must never lose their zeal for Mary McLeod Bethune building children world Studying goes deeper than mere reading. There are surface nuggets to be gathered but the best of the gold is underneath, and it takes time and labor to secure it. Mary McLeod Bethune nuggets reading gold Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough. Mary McLeod Bethune determination inspirational commitment If we have the courage and tenacity of our forebears, who stood firmly like a rock against the lash of slavery, we shall find a way to do for our day what they did for theirs. Mary McLeod Bethune african-american rocks courage World peace and brotherhood are based on a common understanding of the contributions and cultures of all races and creeds Mary McLeod Bethune brotherhood understanding race Enter to learn; depart to serve. Mary McLeod Bethune The progress of the world will call for the best that all of us have to give. Mary McLeod Bethune progress giving world What does the Negro want? His answer is very simple. He wants only what all other Americans want. He wants opportunity to make real what the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and the Bill of Rights say, what the Four Freedoms establish. While he knows these ideals are open to no man completely, he wants only his equal chance to obtain them. Mary McLeod Bethune real simple opportunity The true worth of a race must be measured by the character of its womanhood. Mary McLeod Bethune women memorable character
