Booker T. Washington: The Purpose of an Education

​I want you to get it firmly fixed in your minds that books, industries, or tools of any character, no matter how thoroughly you master them, do not within themselves constitute education.

​Committing to memory pages of written matter, or becoming deft in the handling of tools, is not the supreme thing at which education aims.

​Books, tools, and industries are but the means to fit you for something that is higher and better. All these are not ends within themselves; they are simply means.

The end of all education, whether of head or hand or heart, is to make an individual good, to make him useful, to make him powerful; is to give him goodness, usefulness and power in order that he may exert a helpful influence upon his fellows.

Booker T. Washington, Building Character, 1902

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Words of wisdom such as these from Mr. Washington cross racial boundaries through their intelligence, insight, selflessness, and concern for all mankind. Such words are inspirations and the foundations upon which to build a hopeful society—a truly educated society.

​Peter E. Greulich