CHAPTER V. Be Ambitious

Be Ambitious

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER V

BY BOOKER T. WASHINGTON

Our natures are like oil; compound us with anything, Yet will we strive to swim to the top.

—Beaumont.

Writing of the gentleman who introduces this chapter—the Washington of his people in industry, education and religion, Paul Dunbar, the negro poet, says:

“A poor Virginia cabin gave the seed; And from its dark and lowly door there came A peer of princes in the world’s acclaim, A master spirit for the nation’s need. Strong, silent, purposeful beyond his kind, The ark of rugged force on brow and lip, Straight on he goes, nor turns to look behind, With one idea foremost in his mind Like the keen prow of some on-forging ship.”

I would say to every young man, no matter what his color, to choose as early as possible a good, clean-cut business, something that will help make the world better, and then strive in every worthy way to make that business the most successful of its kind in the world. The boy who lets obstacles overcome him will not succeed. The great thing is to succeed in spite of discouragements.