Quotes by Mary McLeod Bethune

“We have a powerful potential in out youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.”

“Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.”

“There is a place in Gods sun for the youth farthest down who has the vision, the determination, and the courage to reach it.”

“If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibilityourselves. We should, therefore, protest openly everything . . . that smacks of discrimination or slander.”

“Knowledge is the prime need of the hour”

“I never stop to plan. I take things step by step.”

“From the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful every way I could.”

“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.”

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!

Forgiving is not about forgetting, its letting go of the hurt

The drums of Africa still beat in my heart. They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth.

Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.

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.

I plunged into the job of creating something from nothing. ... Though I hadnt 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.

Without faith nothing is possible. With it nothing is impossible.

There is a place in Gods sun for the youth farthest down who has the vision the determination and the courage to reach it.

I have had more than half a century of such happiness. A great deal of worry and sorrow too but never a worry or a sorrow that was not offset by a purple iris a lark a bluebird or a dewy morning glory.

Invest in the human soul. Who knows it might be a diamond in the rough.

Knowledge is the prime need of the hour.

Cease to be a drudge seek to be an artist.