Cover of Character Building

Character Building

  • Free to read
  • 4 hours to read
  • 38 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"Character Building" by Booker T. Washington is a collection of motivational addresses delivered to the students of Tuskegee Institute written in the early 20th century. This work focuses on the development of character among its readers, particularly emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility, positivity, and ethical living in the face of life's challenges. It provides practical advice and moral lessons designed to inspire the listeners to take active steps toward self-improvement and community service." "The opening of "Character Building" introduces Washington's series of Sunday evening talks, aimed at cultivating virtue and personal growth among Tuskegee Institute students. He begins by contrasting the bright and dark sides of life, urging students to adopt a positive outlook even in challenging circumstances. Washington highlights the importance of recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of life, while encouraging his audience to be a source of encouragement for others. The addresses serve as a foundational work meant to instill qualities of resilience, service, and honesty, preparing the students to become effective leaders within their communities."

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  • Character
  • African Americans · Education
  • College students · Conduct of life

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Publishers' Explanation

Mr. Washington's habit has for many years been to deliver a practical, straightforward address to the students of Tuskegee Institute on Sunday evening. These addresses have had much to do with the building up of the character of his race, for they are very forcible explanations of character building. The speaker has put into them his whole moral earnestness, his broad common-sense and, in many places, his eloquence. Many of Mr. Washington's friends have said that some of these addresses are the best of his utterances.

They have an additional interest because they show him at his work and give an inside view of the school.

This volume is made up of selections from these addresses chosen by Mr. Washington himself.

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Contents

Show all 38 chapters
  1. Publishers' Explanation
  2. Preface
  3. Booker T. Washington
  4. Two Sides of Life
  5. Helping Others
  6. Some of the Rocks Ahead
  7. On Influencing by Example
  8. The Virtue of Simplicity
  9. Have You Done Your Best?
  10. Don't Be Discouraged
  11. On Getting a Home
  12. Calling Things by Their Right Names
  13. European Impressions
  14. The Value of System in Home Life
  15. What Will Pay
  16. The Importance of Being Reliable
  17. The Highest Education
  18. Unimproved Opportunities
  19. Keeping Your Word
  20. Some Lessons of the Hour
  21. The Gospel of Service
  22. Your Part in the Negro Conference
  23. What Is to Be Our Future?
  24. Some Great Little Things
  25. To Would-Be Teachers
  26. The Cultivation of Stable Habits
  27. What You Ought to Do
  28. Individual Responsibility
  29. Getting on in the World
  30. Each One His Part
  31. What Would Father and Mother Say?
  32. Object Lessons
  33. Character As Shown in Dress
  34. Sing the Old Songs
  35. Getting Down to Mother Earth
  36. A Penny Saved
  37. Growth
  38. Last Words

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About this edition

This free edition of Character Building by Booker T. Washington comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #60484, released 2019-10-13. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Essays, Letters & Speeches, Teaching & Education.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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