Out of abysses of Illiteracy, Through labyrinths of Lies, Across wastelands of Disease . . . We advance Out of dead-ends of Poverty, Through wilderness of Superstition, Across barricades of Jim Crowism . . . We advance. Melvin B. Tolson More Quotes by Melvin B. Tolson More Quotes From Melvin B. Tolson The question is -- Who will get to heaven first; the man who talks or the man who acts? Melvin B. Tolson men heaven firsts A civilization is always judged in its decline. Melvin B. Tolson judged decline civilization Old men dream dreams; young men see visions. Melvin B. Tolson vision dream men When the exceptional historian comes along, you have a poet. Melvin B. Tolson historian exceptional poet