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7/27/2019 Self-Made Man - Frederick Douglas
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SelfMadeMenbyFrederickDouglass(1872)
Thesubject
announced
for
this
evening's
entertainment
is
not
new.
Man
in
one
form
or
another,
hasbeenafrequentandfruitfulsubjectforthepress,thepulpitandtheplatform.Thissubjecthas
come up for consideration under a variety of attractive titles, such as "Great Men,"
"RepresentativeMen,""PeculiarMen,""ScientificMen,""LiteraryMen,""SuccessfulMen,""Men
ofGenius,"and"MenoftheWorld;"butunderwhatevernameordesignation,thevitalpointof
interest in thediscussionhaseverbeen the same,and that is,manhood itself,and this in its
broadestandmostcomprehensivesense.
Thetendencytotheuniversal,insuchdiscussion,isaltogethernaturalandallcontrolling:forwhen
weconsider
what
man,
as
awhole,
is;
what
he
has
been;
what
he
aspires
to
be,
and
what,
by
a
wiseandvigorouscultivationofhisfaculties,hemayyetbecome,weseethatitleadsirresistibly
tothisbroadviewofhimasasubjectofthoughtandinquiry.
Thesayingofthepoetthat"Theproperstudyofmankindisman,"andwhichhasbeenthestarting
pointofsomany lectures,essaysandspeeches,holds itsplace, likeallothergreatutterances,
becauseitcontainsagreattruthandatruthalikeforeveryageandgenerationofmen.Itisalways
newandcannevergrowold.Itisneitherdimmedbytimenortarnishedbyrepetition;forman,
both
in
respect
of
himself
and
of
his
species,
is
now,
and
evermore
will
be,
the
center
of
unsatisfied
humancuriosity.
Thepleasurewederivefromanydepartmentofknowledgeislargelyduetotheglimpsewhichit
givesusofourownnature.Wemay travel farover landand sea,braveall climates,dareall
dangers,endureallhardships,tryalllatitudesandlongitudes;wemaypenetratetheearth,sound
theocean'sdepthsandseepthehollowskywithourglasses,inthepursuitofotherknowledge;
wemaycontemplatetheglorious landscapegemmedbyforest, lakeandriveranddottedwith
peacefulhomesandquietherds;wemaywhirlawaytothegreatcities,allaglowwith lifeand
enterprise;we
may
mingle
with
the
imposing
assemblages
of
wealth
and
power;
we
may
visit
the
hallswhereArtworkshermiraclesinmusic,speechandcolor,andwhereScienceunbarsthegates
tohigherplanesofcivilization;butnomatterhowradiantthecolors,howenchantingthemelody,
howgorgeousandsplendid thepageant:manhimself,witheyes turned inwarduponhisown
wondrousattributesandpowerssurpassesthemall.Asinglehumansoulstandinghereuponthe
marginwecalltime,overlooking,inthevastnessofitsrange,thesolemnpastwhichcanneither
berecallednorremodeled,everchafingagainst finite limitations,entangledwith interminable
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contradictions,eagerlyseekingtoscantheinvisiblepastandpiercethecloudsanddarknessofthe
evermysteriousfuture,hasattractionsforthoughtandstudy,morenumerousandpowerfulthan
allotherobjectsbeneath thesky.Tohuman thoughtand inquiryhe isbroader thanallvisible
worlds, loftierthanallheightsanddeeperthanalldepths.Were Icalledupontopointoutthe
broadestandmostpermanentdistinctionbetweenmankindandotheranimals,itwouldbethis;
theirearnest
desire
for
the
fullest
knowledge
of
human
nature
on
all
its
many
sides.
The
importanceof thisknowledge is immeasurable,andbynoother ishuman lifesoaffectedand
colored.Nothingcanbringtomansomuchofhappinessorsomuchofmiseryasmanhimself.
Todayheexaltshimself toheavenbyhisvirtuesandachievements; tomorrowhesmiteswith
sadnessandpain,byhiscrimesandfollies.Butwhetherexaltedordebased,charitableorwicked;
whethersaintorvillain,priestorprize fighter; ifonlyhebegreat inhis line,he isanunfailing
sourceof interest,asoneofacommonbrotherhood; for thebestman finds inhisbreast the
evidenceofkinshipwiththeworst,andtheworstwiththebest.Confrontuswitheitherextreme
andyouwillrivetourattentionandfixusinearnestcontemplation,forourchiefdesireistoknow
what
there
is
in
man
and
to
know
him
at
all
extremes
and
ends
and
opposites,
and
for
this
knowledge,orthewantofit,wewillfollowhimfromthegatesoflifetothegatesofdeath,and
beyondthem.
Frommancomesallthatweknoworcanimagineofheavenandearth,oftimeandeternity.Heis
theprolificconstituterofmanners,morals,religionsandgovernments.Hespinsthemoutasthe
spider spins hisweb, and they are coarse or fine, kind or cruel, according to the degree of
intelligencereachedbyhimattheperiodoftheirestablishment.Hecompelsustocontemplate
hispastwithwonderandtosurveyhisfuturewithmuchthesamefeelingsasthosewithwhich
Columbusis
supposed
to
have
gazed
westward
over
the
sea.
It
is
the
faith
of
the
race
that
in
man
thereexistsfaroutlyingcontinentsofpower,thoughtandfeeling,whichremaintobediscovered,
explored,cultivated,madepracticalandglorified.
Mr.Emersonhasdeclaredthatitisnaturaltobelieveingreatmen.Whetherthisisafact,ornot,
wedobelieveinthemandworshipthem.TheVisibleGodoftheNewTestamentisrevealedtous
asamanoflikepassionswithourselves.Weseekoutourwisestandbestman,themanwho,by
eloquenceor the sword compelsus tobelievehim such,andmakehimour leader,prophet,
preacherandlawgiver.Wedothis,notbecauseheisessentiallydifferentfromus,butbecauseof
hisidentity
with
us.
He
is
our
best
representative
and
reflects,
on
acolossal
scale,
the
scale
to
whichwewouldaspire,ourhighestaims,objects,powersandpossibilities.
Thisnaturalreverenceforallthat isgreat inman,andthistendencytodeifyandworshiphim,
thoughnaturalandthesourceofman'selevation,hasnotalwaysshownitselfwisebuthasoften
shown itselffarotherwisethanwise.Ithasoftengivenusawickedrulerforarighteousone,a
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falseprophetforatrueone,acorruptpreacherforapureone,amanofwarforamanofpeace,
andadistortedandvengefulimageofGodforanimageofjusticeandmercy.
Butitisnotmypurposetoattempthereanycomprehensiveandexhaustivetheoryorphilosophy
orthe
nature
of
manhood
in
all
the
range
Ihave
indicated.
Iam
here
to
speak
to
you
of
apeculiar
typeofmanhoodunderthetitleofSelfMadeMen.
Thatthere is, inmorerespectsthanone,something likeasolecism in thistitle, I freelyadmit.
Properlyspeaking,thereare intheworldnosuchmenasselfmademen.Thatterm impliesan
individualindependenceofthepastandpresentwhichcanneverexist.
Our
best
and
most
valued
acquisitions
have
been
obtained
either
from
our
contemporaries
or
fromthosewhohaveprecededusinthefieldofthoughtanddiscovery.Wehavealleitherbegged,
borrowedorstolen.Wehavereapedwhereothershavesown,andthatwhichothershavestrewn,
wehavegathered. Itmust in truthbe said, though itmaynotaccordwellwith selfconscious
individualityandselfconceit,thatnopossiblenativeforceofcharacter,andnodepthofwealth
andoriginality,canliftamanintoabsoluteindependenceofhisfellowmen,andnogenerationof
mencanbeindependentoftheprecedinggeneration.Thebrotherhoodandinterdependenceof
mankindareguardedanddefendedatallpoints.Ibelieveinindividuality,butindividualsare,to
themass,likewavestotheocean.Thehighestorderofgeniusisasdependentasisthelowest.It,
liketheloftiestwavesofthesea,derivesitspowerandgreatnessfromthegrandeurandvastness
ofthe
ocean
of
which
it
forms
apart.
We
differ
as
the
waves,
but
are
one
as
the
sea.
To
do
somethingwelldoesnotnecessarilyimplytheabilitytodoeverythingelseequallywell.Ifyoucan
doinonedirectionthatwhichIcannotdo,Imayinanotherdirection,beabletodothatwhich
you cannot do. Thus the balance of power is kept comparatively even, and a selfacting
brotherhoodandinterdependenceismaintained.
Nevertheless,thetitleofmylectureiseminentlydescriptiveofaclassandis,moreover,afitand
convenientone formypurpose, in illustrating the ideawhich Ihave in view. In the orderof
discussionIshalladoptthestyleofanoldfashionedpreacherandhavea"firstly,"a"secondly,"a
"thirdly,"a"fourthly"and,possibly,a"conclusion."
Myfirstis,"Whoareselfmademen?"Mysecondis,"Whatisthetruetheoryoftheirsuccess?"
Mythird is,"Theadvantageswhichselfmademenderivefromthemannersand institutionsof
theirsurroundings,"andmyfourthis,"Thegroundsofthecriticismtowhichtheyare,asaclass,
especiallyexposed."
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Onthe firstpoint Imaysay that,bytheterm"selfmademen," Imeanespeciallywhat, tothe
popularmind,thetermleastimports.Selfmademenarethemenwho,underpeculiardifficulties
andwithouttheordinaryhelpsoffavoringcircumstances,haveattainedknowledge,usefulness,
powerand
position
and
have
learned
from
themselves
the
best
uses
to
which
life
can
be
put
in
thisworld,andintheexercisesoftheseusestobuildupworthycharacter.Theyarethemenwho
owelittleornothingtobirth,relationship,friendlysurroundings;towealthinheritedortoearly
approvedmeansofeducation;whoarewhattheyare,withouttheaidofanyfavoringconditions
bywhichothermenusuallyriseintheworldandachievegreatresults.Infacttheyarethemen
whoarenotbroughtupbutwhoareobligedtocomeup,notonlywithoutthevoluntaryassistance
orfriendlycooperationofsociety,butoften inopenandderisivedefianceofalltheeffortsof
societyandthetendencyofcircumstancestorepress,retardandkeepthemdown.Theyarethe
menwho,inaworldofschools,academies,collegesandotherinstitutionsoflearning,areoften
compelled by unfriendly circumstances to acquire their education elsewhere and, amidst
unfavorableconditions,
to
hew
out
for
themselves
away
to
success,
and
thus
to
become
the
architectsoftheirowngoodfortunes.Theyare inapeculiarsense, indebtedtothemselvesfor
themselves.Iftheyhavetraveledfar,theyhavemadetheroadonwhichtheyhavetravelled.If
theyhaveascendedhigh,theyhavebuilttheirown ladder.Fromthedepthsofpovertysuchas
thesehaveoftencome.Fromtheheartlesspavementsoflargeandcrowdedcities;barefooted,
homeless,andfriendless,theyhavecome.Fromhunger,ragsanddestitution,theyhavecome;
motherlessandfatherless,theyhavecome,andmaycome.Flungoverboardinthemidnightstorm
onthebroadandtempesttossedoceanoflife;leftwithoutropes,planks,oarsorlifepreservers,
theyhavebravelybuffetedthefrowningbillowsandhaverisen insafetyand lifewhereothers,
suppliedwiththebestappliancesforsafetyandsuccess,havefainted,despairedandgonedown
forever.
Suchmenasthese,whetherfound inonepositionoranother,whether inthecollegeor inthe
factory;whetherprofessorsorplowmen;whetherCaucasianorIndian;whetherAngloSaxonor
AngloAfrican,areselfmademenandareentitledtoacertainmeasureofrespectfortheirsuccess
andforprovingtotheworldthegrandestpossibilitiesofhumannature,ofwhatevervarietyof
raceorcolor.
Thoughamanofthisclassneednotclaimtobeaheroortobeworshipedassuch,thereisgenuine
heroisminhisstruggleandsomethingofsublimityandgloryinhistriumph.Everyinstanceofsuch
success is an example and a help to humanity. It, better than anymere assertion, gives us
assuranceofthelatentpowersandresourcesofsimpleandunaidedmanhood.Itdignifieslabor,
honorsapplication,lessenspainanddepression,dispelsgloomfromthebrowofthedestituteand
wearinessfromtheheartofhimabouttofaint,andenablesmantotakeholdoftheroughestand
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flintiesthardshipsincidenttothebattleoflife,withalighterheart,withhigherhopesandalarger
courage.
ButIcomeatoncetothesecondpartofmysubject,whichrespectstheTheoryofSelfMadeMen.
"Uponwhatmeatdoththis,ourCaesar,feed,hehathgrownsogreat?"Howhappensitthatthe
cottagerisoftenfoundequaltothelord,andthat,intheraceoflife,thesonsofthepooroften
getevenwith,andsurpasseven,thesonsoftherich?Howhappensitfromthefieldoftencome
statesmenequaltothosefromthecollege?Iamsorrytosaythat,uponthisinterestingpoint,I
canpromise nothing absolutenor anythingwhichwill beentirely satisfactory and conclusive.
Burnssays:
"Iseehowfolkslivethathaveriches,
Butsurelypoorfolksmaunbewitches."
Thevariousconditionsofmenandthedifferentusestheymakeoftheirpowersandopportunities
inlife,arefullofpuzzlingcontrastsandcontradictions.Here,aselsewhere,itiseasytodogmatize,
butitisnotsoeasytodefine,explainanddemonstrate.Thenaturallawsforthegovernment,well
beingandprogressofmankind,seemtobeequalandareequal;butthesubjectsoftheselaws
everywhereaboundininequalities,discordsandcontrasts.Wecannothavefruitwithoutflowers,
butweoftenhaveflowerswithoutfruit.Thepromiseofyouthoftenbreaksdown inmanhood,
andrealexcellenceoftencomesunheraldedandfromunexpectedquarters.
Thescenepresentedfromthisviewisasathousandarrowsshotfromthesamepointandaimed
atthesameobject.United inaim,theyaredivided inflight.Someflytoohigh,otherstoo low.
Somegototheright,otherstotheleft.Someflytoofarandothers,notfarenough,andonlya
fewhit themark.Such is life.United in thequiver, theyaredivided in theair.Matchedwhen
dormant,theyareunmatchedinaction.
Whenweattempttoaccountforgreatnesswenevergetnearertothetruththandidthegreatest
ofpoetsandphilosopherswhenheclassifiedtheconditionsofgreatness:Someareborngreat,
someachievegreatnessandsomehavegreatnessthrustuponthem.Wemaytakeourchoiceof
thesethreeseparateexplanationsandmakewhichofthemweplease,mostprominent inour
discussion.Muchcancertainlybesaidofsuperiormentalendowments,and Ishouldonsome
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accounts,leanstronglytothattheory,butfornumerousexampleswhichseem,anddo,contradict
it,andforthedepressingtendencysuchatheorymusthaveonhumanitygenerally.
This theoryhas truth in it,but it isnot thewhole truth.Menofveryordinary facultieshave,
nevertheless,made
avery
respectable
way
in
the
world
and
have
sometimes
presented
even
brilliantexamplesof success.On theotherhand,what is called genius isoften foundby the
wayside,amiserablewreck; themoredeplorableandshockingbecause from theheight from
whichithasfallenandthelossandruininvolvedinthefall.Thereis,perhaps,acompensationin
disappointmentand inthecontradictionofmeanstoendsandpromisetoperformance.These
implyaconstanteffortonthepartofnaturetoholdthebalancebetweenallherchildrenandto
bringsuccesswithinthereachofthehumblestaswellasofthemostexalted.
From
apparently
the
basest
metals
we
have
the
finest
toned
bells,
and
we
are
taught
respect
from
simplemanhoodwhenweseehow,fromthevariousdregsofsociety,therecomemenwhomay
wellberegardedastheprideandasthewatchtowersoftherace.
Steelisimprovedbylayingondampground,andtherustyrazorgetsakeeneredgeaftergivingits
drosstothedirtinwhichithasbeenallowedtolieneglectedandforgotten.Inlikemanner,too,
humanity,thoughitlayamongtheports,coveredwiththedustofneglectandpoverty,maystill
retainthedivineimpulseandtheelementofimprovementandprogress.Itisnaturaltorevoltat
squalor,butwemaywellrelaxourlipofscornandcontemptwhenwestandamongthelowlyand
despised,for
out
of
the
rags
of
the
meanest
cradle
there
may
come
agreat
man
and
this
is
a
treasurericherthanallthewealthoftheOrient.
Idonotthinkmuchofthegoodlucktheoryofselfmademen.Itisworthbutlittleattentionand
hasnopracticalvalue.Anapplecarelesslyflung intoacrowdmayhitoneperson,or itmayhit
another,oritmayhitnobody.Theprobabilitiesarepreciselythesameinthisaccidenttheoryof
selfmademen. Itdivorcesaman fromhisownachievements,contemplateshimasabeingof
chanceand leaveshimwithoutwill,motive,ambitionandaspiration.Yettheaccidenttheory is
amongthemostpopulartheoriesofindividualsuccess.Ithasaboutittheairofmysterywhichthe
multitudessowelllike,andwithal,itdoessomethingtomarthecomplacencyofthesuccessful.
Itisoneoftheeasiestandcommonestthingsintheworldforasuccessfulmantobefollowedin
hiscareerthrough lifeandtohaveconstantlypointedoutthisorthatparticularstrokeofgood
fortunewhichfixedhisdestinyandmadehimsuccessful.Ifnotourselvesgreat,weliketoexplain
whyothersareso.Wearestingy inourpraisetomerit,butgenerous inourpraisetochance.
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Besides,amanfeelshimselfmeasurablygreatwhenhecanpointouttheprecisemomentand
circumstancewhichmadehisneighborgreat.Heeasilyfanciesthattheslightdifferencebetween
himselfandhisfriendissimplyoneofluck.Itwashisfriendwhowasluckybutitmighteasilyhave
beenhimself.Thentoo,thenextbestthingtosuccessisavalidapologyfornonsuccess.Detraction
is,tomany,adeliciousmorsel.Theexcellencewhichitloudlydeniestoothersitsilentlyclaimsfor
itself.It
possesses
the
means
of
covering
the
small
with
the
glory
of
the
great.
It
adds
to
failure
thatwhichittakesfromsuccessandshortensthedistancebetweenthoseinfrontandthosein
therear.Evenherethereisanupwardtendencyworthyofnoticeandrespect.Thekitchenisever
thecriticoftheparlor.Thetalkofthosebelowisofthoseabove.Weimitatethosewerevereand
admire.
Butthemainobjectiontothisverycomfortabletheoryisthat,likemostothertheories,itismade
toexplaintoomuch.Whileitascribessuccesstochanceandfriendlycircumstances, itisaptto
take
no
cognizance
of
the
very
different
uses
to
which
different
men
put
their
circumstances
and
theirchances.
Fortunemaycrowdamanslifewithfortunatecircumstancesandhappyopportunities,butthey
will,asweallknow,availhimnothingunlesshemakesawiseandvigoroususeofthem.Itdoes
notmatterthatthewindisfairandthetideatitsflood,ifthemarinerrefusestoweighhisanchor
andspreadhiscanvastothebreeze.Thegoldenharvest isripe invain ifthefarmerrefusesto
reap.Opportunityisimportantbutexertionisindispensable."Thereisatideintheaffairsofmen
which,takenatitsflood,leadsontofortune;"butitmustbetakenatitsflood.
Withinthisrealmofman'sbeing,aselsewhere,Scienceisdiffusingitsbroad,beneficentlight.As
this light increases,dependenceuponchanceor luck isdestined tovanishand thewisdomof
adaptingmeanstoends,tobecomemoremanifest.
Itwasoncemorecommonthanitisnow,tohearmanreligiouslyascribingtheirgoodorillfortune
directly tosupernatural intervention.Successand failure,wealthandpoverty, intelligenceand
ignorance,libertyandslavery,happinessandmisery,wereallbestowedorinflicteduponindividual
men by a divine hand and for allwise purposes.Manwas, by such reasoners,made a very
insignificantagentinhisownaffairs.ItwasalltheLord'sdoingsandmarveloustohumaneyes.Of
coursealongwiththissuperstitioncamethefortuneteller,thepretendertodivinationsandthe
miracleworkingpriestwhocouldsavefromfaminebyprayingeasierthanbyunderdrainingdeep
plowing.
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Insuchmatterawisemanhaslittleuseforaltarsororacle.HeknowsthatthelawsofGodare
perfectandunchangeable.Heknowsthathealthismaintainedbyrightliving;thatdiseaseiscured
bytherightuseofremedies;thatbreadisproducedbytillingthesoil;thatknowledgeisobtained
bystudy;thatwealthissecuredbysavingandthatbattlesarewonbyfighting.Tohim,thelazy
manistheunluckymanandthemanofluckofthemanofwork.
"Thefault,dearBrutus,isnotinourstars,
Butinourselves,thatweareunderlings."
Whenwefindamanwhohasascendedheightsbeyondourselves;whohasabroaderrangeof
visionthanweandaskywithmorestarsinitinthanwehaveinours,wemayknowthathehas
workedharder,betterandmorewiselythanwe.Hewasawakewhileweslept.Hewasbusywhile
wewere
idle
and
was
wisely
improving
his
time
and
talents
while
we
were
wasting
ours.
Paul
Dunbar,thecoloredpoet,haswellsaid:
"Therearenobeatenpathstoglory'sheight,
Therearenorulestocompassgreatnessknown;
Eachforhimselfmustcleaveapathalone,
Andpresshisownwayforwardinthefight.
Smoothisthewaytoeaseandcalmdelight,
AndsofttheroadSlothchoosethforherown;
Buthewhocravestheflow'roflifefullblown
Muststruggleupinallhisarmordight.
Whattho'theburdenbearhimsorelydown,
Andcrushtodustthemountainofhispride.
Oh!then
with
strong
heart
let
him
still
abide
Forruggedistheroadwaytorenown.
Normayhehopetogaintheenviedcrown
Tillhehaththrusttheloomingrocksaside."
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Iamcertainthatthereisnothinggood,greatordesirablewhichmancanpossessinthisworld,
thatdoesnotcomebysomekindoflaborofphysicalormental,moralorspiritual.Aman,attimes,
getssomethingfornothing,butitwill,inhishands,amounttonothing.Whatistrueintheworld
ofmatter, isequally true in theworldof themind.Without culture there canbenogrowth;
withoutexertion,noacquisition;withoutfriction,nopolish;withoutlabor,noknowledge;without
action,no
progress
and
without
conflict,
no
victory.
A
man
that
lies
down
afool
at
night,
hoping
thathewillwakenwiseinthemorning,willriseupinthemorningashelaiddownintheevening.
Faith,intheabsenceofwork,seemstobeworthlittle,ifanything.Thepreacherwhofindsiteasier
toprayforknowledgethantotaxhisbrainwithstudyandapplicationwillfindhiscongregation
growingbeautifullylessandhisflocklookingelsewherefortheirspiritualandmentalfood.Inthe
old slave times coloredministerswere somewhat remarkable for the fervorwithwhich they
prayedforknowledge,butitdidnotappearthattheywereremarkableforanywonderfulsuccess.
In
fact,
they
who
prayed
loudest
seemed
to
get
least.
They
thought
if
they
opened
their
mouths
theywouldbefilled.Theresultwasanabundanceofsoundwithagreatdestitutionofsense.
Notonly inman'sexperience,butalso innaturedowefindexemplifiedthetruthuponwhich I
havebeeninsisting.Myfatherworketh,andtheSavior,andIalsowork.Ineveryviewwhichwe
obtainoftheperfectionsoftheuniverse;whetherwelooktothebrightstarsinthepeacefulblue
domeaboveus,ortothe longshore lineoftheocean,where landandwatermaintaineternal
conflict;thelesstaughtisthesame;thatofendlessactionandreaction.Thosebeautifullyrounded
pebbleswhich you gatheron the sane andwhich youhold in yourhand andmarvel at their
exceedingsmoothness,
were
chiseled
into
their
varies
and
graceful
forms
by
the
ceaseless
action
ofcountlesswaves.Natureisherselfagreatworkerandnevertolerates,withoutcertainrebuke,
anycontradictiontoherwiseexample.Inactionisfollowedbystagnation.Stagnationisfollowed
bypestilenceandpestilence is followedbydeath.GeneralButler,busywithhisbroom,could
sweepyellowfeveroutofNewOrleans,butthisdreaddestroyerreturnedwhentheGeneraland
hisbroomwerewithdrawn,and thepeople,neglecting sanitarywisdom,wentonascribing to
Divinitywhatwassimplyduetodirt.
Fromtheseremarksitwillbeevidentthat,allowingonlyordinaryabilityandopportunity,wemay
explainsuccess
mainly
by
one
word
and
that
word
is
WORK!
WORK!!
WORK!!!
WORK!!!!
Not
transientandfitfuleffort,butpatient,enduring,honest,unremittingandindefatigableworkinto
whichthewholeheartisput,andwhich,inbothtemporalandspiritualaffairs,isthetruemiracle
worker.Everyonemayavailhimselfofthismarvelouspower,ifhewill.Thereisnoroyalroadto
perfection.Certainlynoonemustwaitforsomekindoffriendtoputaspringingboardunderhis
feet,uponwhichhemayeasilyboundfromthefirstroundoftheirladderonwardandupwardto
itshighestround.Ifhewaitsforthis,hemaywait long,andperhapsforever.Hewhodoesnot
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thinkhimselfworthsavingfrompovertyandignorancebyhisownefforts,willhardlybethought
worththeeffortsofanybodyelse.
Thelessontaughtatthispointbyhumanexperienceissimplythis,thatthemanwhowillgetup
willbe
helped
up;
and
the
man
who
will
not
get
up
will
be
allowed
to
stay
down.
This
rule
may
appearsomewhatharsh,butinitsgeneralapplicationandoperationitiswise,justandbeneficent.
Iknowofnootherrulewhichcanbesubstituted for itwithoutbringingsocialchaos.Personal
independenceisavirtueanditisthesouloutofwhichcomesthesturdiestmanhood.Butthere
canbeno independencewithouta large shareof selfdependence,and this virtue cannotbe
bestowed.Itmustbedevelopedfromwithin.
Ihavebeenasked"Howwillthistheoryaffectthenegro?"and"Whatshallbedoneinhiscase?"
My
general
answer
is
"Give
the
negro
fair
play
and
let
him
alone.
If
he
lives,
well.
If
he
dies,
equally
well.Ifhecannotstandup,lethimcalldown."
Theapplemusthavestrengthandvitalityenoughinitselftoholdon,oritwillfalltotheground
where itbelongs.Thestrongest influenceprevailsandshouldprevail.Ifthevitalrelationofthe
fruitissevered,itisfollytotiethestemtothebranchorthebranchtothetreeortoshelterthe
fruitfromthewind.So,too,thereisnowisdominliftingfromtheearthaheadwhichmustonly
fallthemoreheavilywhenthehelpiswithdrawn.Doright,thoughtheheavensfall;buttheywill
notfall.
Ihavesaid"Givethenegrofairplayandlethimalone."ImeantallthatIsaidandagooddealmore
thansomeunderstandbyfairplay.Itisnotfairplaytostartthenegrooutinlife,fromnothingand
withnothing,whileothersstartwiththeadvantageofathousandyearsbehindthem.Heshould
bemeasured,notbytheheightsothershaveobtained,butfromthedepthsfromwhichhehas
come.Foranyadjustmentofthesealsofcomparison,fairplaydemandsthattothebarbarism
fromwhich thenegro started shallbeadded twohundredyearsheavywithhumanbondage.
ShouldtheAmericanpeopleputaschoolhouseineveryvalleyoftheSouthandachurchonevery
hillsideandsupplytheonewithteachersandtheotherwithpreachers,forahundredyearsto
come,theywouldnotthenhavegivenfairplaytothenegro.
Thenearestapproachtojusticetothenegroforthepastistodohimjusticeinthepresent.Throw
open to him the doors of the schools, the factories, the workshops, and of all mechanical
industries.Forhisownwelfare,givehimachancetodowhateverhecandowell.Ifhefailsthen,
lethimfail!Ican,however,assureyouthathewillnotfail.Alreadyhasheprovenit.Asasoldier
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heprovedit.Hehassinceproveditbyindustryandsobrietyandbytheacquisitionofknowledge
andproperty.HeisalmosttheonlysuccessfultillerofthesoiloftheSouth,andisfastbecoming
theowneroflandformerlyownedbyhisoldmasterandbytheoldmasterclass.Inathousand
instanceshasheverifiedmytheoryofselfmademen.Hewellperformedthetaskofmakingbricks
withoutstraw:nowgivehimstraw.Givehimallthefacilitiesforhonestandsuccessfullivelihood,
andin
all
honorable
avocations
receive
him
as
aman
among
men.
Ihavebyimplicationadmittedthatworkaloneisnottheonlyexplanationofselfmademen,orof
thesecretofsuccess.Industry,tobesure,isthesuperficialandvisiblecauseofsuccess,butwhat
isthecauseofindustry?Intheanswertothisquestiononeelementiseasilypointedout,andthat
element isnecessity.Thackerayverywiselyremarksthat"Allmenareaboutas lazyastheycan
affordtobe."Mencannotbedependedupontoworkwhentheyareaskedtoworkfornothing.
Theyarenotonlyaslazyastheycanaffordtobe,butIhavefoundmanywhowereagreatdeal
more
so.
We
all
hate
the
task
master,
but
all
men,
however
industrious,
are
either
lured
or
lashed
throughtheworld,andweshouldbea lazy,goodfornothingset, ifwewerenotso luredand
lashed.
Necessity isnotonlythemotherof invention,butthemainspringofexertion.Thepresenceof
some urgent, pinching, imperious necessity,will often not only sting aman intomarvellous
exertion,butintoasenseofthepossession,withinhimself,ofpowersandresourceswhichelse
hadslumberedonthroughalonglife,unknowntohimselfandneversuspectedbyothers.Aman
neverknowsthestrengthofhisgriptilllifeandlimbdependuponit.Somethingislikelytobedone
whensomething
must
be
done.
Ifyouwishtomakeyoursonhelpless,youneednotcripplehimwithbulletorbludgeon,butsimply
placehimbeyondthereachofnecessityandsurroundhimwitheaseandluxury.Thisexperiment
hasoftenbeentriedandhasseldomfailed.Asageneralrule,wherecircumstancesdomostfor
men,theremanwilldoleastforhimself;andwheremandoesleast,hehimselfisleast.Hisdoing
ornotdoingmakesorunmakeshim.
UnderthepalmtreeofAfricamanfinds,withouteffort,food,raimentandshelter.Forhim,there,
Naturehasdoneallandhehasdonenothing.TheresultisthatthegloryofAfricaisinherpalms
andnotinhermen.
Inyoursearchaftermanhoodgonottothosedelightfullatitudeswhere"summerisblossoming
alltheyearlong,"butrathertothehardyNorth,toMaine,NewHampshireandVermont,tothe
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coldestandflintiestpartsofNewEngland,wheremenworkgardenswithgunpowder,blastrocks
tofindplacestoplantpotatoes;where,forsixmonthsoftheyear,theearthiscoveredwithsnow
andice.GotothestateswhichDanielWebsterthoughtgoodenoughtoemigratefrom,andthere
youwillfindthehighesttypeofAmericanphysicalandintellectualmanhood.
Happilyformankind,labornotonlysuppliesthegoodthingsforwhichitisexerted,butitincreases
itsownresourcesandimproves,sharpensandstrengthensitsowninstruments.
Theprimaryconditionuponwhichmenhaveandretainpowerandskillisexertion.Naturehasno
use forunusedpower.Sheabhorsavacuum.Shepermitsnopreemptionwithoutoccupation.
Everyorganofbodyandmindhasitsuseandimprovesbyuse."Bettertowearoutthantorust
out,"issoundphilosophyaswellascommonsense.Theeyeofthewatchmakerisseverelytaxed
by
the
intense
light
and
effort
necessary
in
order
to
see
minute
objects,
yet
it
remains
clear
and
keenlongafterthoseofothermenhavefailed.IwastoldattheRemingtonRifleWorks,bythe
workmenthereemployedwhohavetostraightentheriflebarrelsbyflashingintenselightthrough
them,that,bythispractice,severeasitseems,theireyesweremadestronger.
Butwhatthehandsfindtodomuchbedone inearnest.Naturetoleratesnohalfness.Hewho
wantshardhandsmustnot,atsightofthefirstblister,flingawaythespade,therake,thebroad
axorthehoe;fortheblisterisaprimaryconditiontotheneededhardness.Toabandonworkis
notonlytothrowawaythemeansofsuccess,butitisalsotopartwiththeabilitytowork.Tobe
ableto
walk
well,
one
must
walk
on,
and
to
work
with
ease
and
effect,
one
must
work
on.
Thusthelawoflaborisselfacting,beneficentandperfect;increasingskillandabilityaccordingto
exertion.Faithful,earnestandprotractedindustrygivesstrengthtothemindandfacilitytothe
hand.Withincertainlimits,themorethatamandoes,themorehecando.
Fewmeneverreach,inanyonedirection,thelimitsoftheirpossibilities.Asincommerce,sohere,
the relation of supply to demand rules. Our mechanical and intellectual forces increase or
decreaseaccordingtothedemandsmadeuponthem.Hewhousesmostwillhavemosttouse.
Thisisthephilosophyoftheparableofthetentalents.Itapplieshereaselsewhere."Tohimthat
hathshallbegivenandfromhimthathathnotshallbetakeneventhatwhichhehath."
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Exertionofmuscleormind, forpleasureandamusementalone,cannotbringanything likethe
goodresultsofearnestlabor.Suchexertionlackstheelementattachedtoduty.Toplayperfectly
uponany complicated instrument,onemustplay long, laboriouslyandwithearnestpurpose.
Thoughitbeanamusementatfirst,itmustbelaborattheend,ifanyproficiencyisreached.If
oneplaysforone'sownpleasurealong,theperformancewillgivelittlepleasuretoanyoneelse
andwill
finally
become
arather
hard
and
dry
pleasure
to
one's
self.
Inthisrespectonecannotreceivemuchmorethanonegives.Menmaycheattheirneighborsand
maycheatthemselvesbuttheycannotcheatnature.Shewillonlypaythewagesonehonestly
earns.
Intheideaofexertion,ofcoursefortitudeandperseveranceareincluded.Wehaveallmetaclass
of
men,
very
remarkable
for
their
activity,
and
who
yet
make
but
little
headway
in
life;
men
who,
intheirnoisyand impulsivepursuitofknowledge,nevergetbeyondtheouterbarkofan idea,
from a lack ofpatience andperseverance todig to the core;menwhobegineverything and
completenothing;whosee,butdonotperceive;whoread,butforgetwhattheyread,andareas
iftheyhadnotread;whotravelbutgonowhereinparticular,andhavenothingofvaluetoimpart
when they return. Suchmenmay have greatness thrust upon them but they never achieve
greatness.
Asthegoldinthemountainisconcealedinhugeandflintyrocks,sothemostvaluableideasand
inventionsare
often
enveloped
in
doubt
and
uncertainty.
The
printing
press,
the
sewing
machine,
therailroad,thetelegraphandthelocomotive,areallsimpleenoughnow,butwhocanmeasure
the patience, the persistence, the fortitude, the wearing labor and the brain sweat, which
producedthesewonderfulandindispensableadditionstoourmoderncivilization.
Mytheoryofselfmademenis,then,simplythis:thattheyaremenofwork.Whetherornotsuch
menhaveacquiredmaterial,moralorintellectualexcellence,honestlaborfaithfully,steadilyand
persistentlypursued,isthebest,ifnottheonly,explanationoftheirsuccess.Butinthusawarding
praisetoindustry,asthemainagencyintheproductionandcultureofselfmademen,Idonot
excludeotherfactorsoftheproblem.Ionlymakethemsubordinate.Otheragenciescooperate,
butthisistheprincipaloneandtheonewithoutwhichallotherswouldfail.
Indolenceandfailurecangiveathousandexcusesforthemselves.Howoftendowehearmensay,
"IfIhadtheheadofthisone,orthehandsofthatone;thehealthofthisone,orthestrengthof
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thatone;thechancesofthisorofthatone,Imighthavebeenthis,that,ortheother;"andmuch
moreofthesamesort.
Sound bodily health and mental faculties unimpaired are very desirable, if not absolutely
indispensible.But
aman
need
not
be
aphysical
giant
or
an
intellectual
prodigy,
in
order
to
make
atolerablewayintheworld.Thehealthandstrengthofthesoulisoffarmoreimportancethanis
thatofthebody,evenwhenviewedasameansofmundaneresults.Thesoulisthemainthing.
Mancandoagreatmanythings;someeasilyandsomewithdifficulty,buthecannotbuildasound
shipwithrottentimber.Hermodelmaybefaultless;hersparsmaybethefinestandhercanvas
thewhitestandtheflagsofallnationsmaybedisplacedathermasthead,butshewillgodownin
thefirststorm.Soitiswiththesoul.Whateveritsassumptions,ifitbelackingintheprinciplesof
honor,integrityandaffection,it,too,willgodowninthefirststorm.Andwhenthesoulislost,all
islost.Allhumanexperienceprovesoverandoveragain,thatanysuccesswhichcomesthrough
meanness,
trickery,
fraud
and
dishonor,
is
but
emptiness
and
will
only
be
a
torment
to
its
possesssor.
Letnotthemorallystrong,thoughphysicallyweakabandonthestruggleoflife.Forsuchhappily,
thereisbothplaceandchanceintheworld.Thehighestservicestomanandtherichestrewards
totheworkeratnotconditionedentirelyuponphysicalpower.Thehighertheplaneofcivilization,
themoreabundanttheopportunitiesoftheweakandthe infirm.Societyandcivilizationmove
accordingtocelestialorder."Notthatwhichisspiritualisfirst,butthatwhichisnatural.Afterthat,
thatwhichisspiritual."Theorderofprogress,is,first,barbarism;afterward,civilization.Barbarism
representsphysical
force.
Civilization
represents
spiritual
power.
The
primary
condition,
that
of
barbarism,knowsnootherlawthanthatofforce;notright,butmight.Inthisconditionofsociety,
orratherofnosociety,themanofmindispushedasidebythemanofmuscle.AKitCarson,far
outonthebordersofcivilization,dexterouslyhandlinghisbowieknife,rifleandbludgeon,easily
getshimselftakenforahero;butthewavesofscienceandcivilizationrollingoutovertheWestern
prairies,soon leavehimnoroomforhisbarbarousaccomplishment.Kit isshornofhisglory.A
highertypeofmanhoodisrequired.
Whenferociousbeastsandsavageinhabitantshavebeendispersedandtherudenessofnature
hasbeen
subdued,
we
welcome
milder
methods
and
gentler
instrumentalities
for
the
service
of
mankind.Heretherace isnottotheswiftnorthebattletothestrong,buttheprice isbrought
withinthereachofthosewhoareneitherswiftnorstrong.Noneneeddespair.Thereisroomand
workforall:fortheweakaswellasthestrong.Activityisthelawforallanditsrewardsareopen
toall.Vastacquirementsandsplendidachievementsstandtothecreditofmenoffeebleframes
andslenderconstitutions.Channingwasphysicallyweak.Miltonwasblind.Montgomerywassmall
andeffeminate.ButthosemenweremoretotheworldthanathousandSampsons.Mrs.Stowe
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wouldbenothingamongthegrizzlybearsoftheRockymountains.Weshouldnotbelikelytoask
forherhelpatabarnraising,orashiplaunch;butwhenagreatnationalevilwastoberemoved;
when a nation's heartwas to be touched;when awhole countrywas to be redeemed and
regeneratedandmillionsofslavesconverted intofreemen,thecivilizedworldknewnoearthly
powerequaltohers.
Butanotherelementofthesecretofsuccessdemandsaword.Thatelementisorder,systematic
endeavor.Wesucceed,notalonebythelaboriousexertionofourfaculties,betheysmallorgreat,
butbytheregular,thoughtfulandsystematicexerciseofthem.Order,thefirstlawofheaven,is
itself apower. Thebattle is nearly lostwhen your lines are indisorder.Regular, orderly and
systematiceffortwhichmoveswithoutfrictionandneedless lossoftimeorpower;whichhasa
placeforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace;whichknowsjustwheretobegin,howtoproceed
andwhere toend, thoughmarkedbynoextraordinaryoutlayofenergyoractivity,willwork
wonders,
not
only
in
the
matter
of
accomplishment,
but
also
in
the
increase
of
the
ability
of
the
individual.Itwillmaketheweakmanstrongandthestrongmanstronger;thesimplemanwise
andthewiseman,wiser,andwillinsuresuccessbythepowerandinfluencethatbelongtohabit.
Ontheotherhand,nomatterwhatgiftsandwhataptitudesamanmaypossess;nomatterthough
hismind be of the highest order and fitted for the noblest achievements; yet,without this
systematiceffort,hisgeniuswillonlyserveasafireofshavings,sooninblazeandsoonout.
Spontaneityhas
aspecial
charm,
and
the
fitful
outcroppings
of
genius
are,
in
speech
or
action,
delightful;butthesuccessattainedbythese isneithersolidnor lasting.Amanwho, fornearly
forty years,was the foremostorator inNewEngland,wasaskedbyme, ifhis speecheswere
extemporaneous?Theyflowedsosmoothlythat Ihadmydoubtsabout it.Heanswered,"No,I
carefullythinkoutandwritemyspeeches,beforeIutterthem."Whensuchamanrisestospeak,
heknowswhatheisgoingtosay.Whenhespeaks,heknowswhatheissaying.Whenheretires
fromtheplatform,heknowswhathehassaid.
Thereisstillanotherelementessentialtosuccess,andthatis,acommandingobjectandasense
ofitsimportance.Thevigoroftheactiondependsuponthepowerofthemotive.Thewheelsof
thelocomotivelieidleupontherailuntiltheyfeeltheimpellingforceofthesteam;butwhenthat
isapplied,thewholeponderoustrainissetinmotion.Butenergyoughtnottobewasted.Aman
maydisposeofhislifeasPaddydidofhispowder,aimatnothing,andhititeverytime.
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Ifeachmanintheworlddidhisshareofhonestwork,weshouldhavenoneedofamillennium.
Theworldwouldteemwithabundance,andthetemptationtoevilinathousanddirections,would
disappear.Butworkisnotoftenundertakenforitsownsake.Theworkerisconsciousofanobject
worthyofeffort,andworksforthatobject;notforwhatheistoit,butforwhatitistohim.Allare
notmovedbythesameobjects.Happinessistheobjectofsome.Wealthandfamearetheobjects
ofothers.
But
wealth
and
fame
are
beyond
the
reach
of
the
majority
of
men,
and
thus,
to
them,
these are notmotiveimpelling objects.Happily, however,personal, family andneighborhood
wellbeingstandneartousallandarefullofloftyinspirationstoearnestendeavor,ifwewould
butrespondtotheirinfluence.
Idonotdesiremy lecture tobecomea sermon;but,were thisallowable, Iwould rebuke the
growing tendency to sport and pleasure. The time, money and strength devoted to these
phantoms,wouldbanishdarknessandhunger fromeveryhearthstone inour land.Multitudes,
unconscious
of
any
controlling
object
in
life,
flit,
like
birds,
from
point
to
point;
now
here,
now
there;andsoaccomplishnothing,eitherheretothere.
"Forpleasuresarelikepoppiesspread,
Youseizetheflower,itsbloomisshed!
Orlikethesnowfallsintheriver,
Amomentwhitethenmeltsforever;
Orlike
the
borealis
race,
Thatflitereyoucanpointtheirplace;
Orliketherainbow'slovelyform
Evanishingamidthestorm."
Theyknowmostofpleasurewhoseekitleast,andtheyleastwhoseekitmost.Thecushionissoft
tohimwhositsonitbutseldom.themenbehindthechairsatSaratogaandNewport,getbetter
dinnersthan
the
men
in
them.
We
cannot
serve
two
masters.
When
here,
we
cannot
be
there.
If
weacceptease,wemustpartwithappetite.Apoundoffeathersisasheavyasapoundofiron,
andaboutashard,ifyousitonitlongenough.Musicisdelightful,buttoomuchofitwoundsthe
earlikethefilingofasaw.Thelounge,tothelazy,becomeslikeflint;andtohim,themostsavory
disheslosetheirflavor.
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"It'strue,theyneednastarveorsweat,Thro'winter'scauldorsimmer'sheat;Buthumanbodies
aresicfools,Foralltheircollegesan'schools,Thatwhennarealillsperplexthem,Theymakenow,
themselvestovexthem."
Butthe
industrious
man
does
find
real
pleasure.
He
finds
it
in
qualities
and
quantities
to
which
the
baffledpleasureseekerisaperpetualstranger.Hefindsitinthehousewellbuilt,inthefarmwell
tilled, inthebookswellkept, inthepagewellwritten, inthethoughtwellexpressed, inallthe
improvedconditionsof lifearoundhimand inwhatsoeverusefulworkmay, for themoment,
engagehistimeandenergies.
Iwillgiveyou,inonesimplestatement,myidea,myobservationandmyexperienceofthechief
agentinthesuccessofselfmademen.Itisnotluck,norisitgreatmentalendowments,butitis
well
directed,
honest
toil.
"Toil
and
Trust!"
was
the
motto
of
John
Quincy
Adams,
and
his
PresidencyoftheRepublicproveditswisdomaswellasitstruth.Greatinhisopportunities,great
inhismentalendowmentsandgreat inhisrelationships,hewasstillgreater inperseveringand
indefatigableindustry.
Examplesofsuccessfulselfcultureandselfhelpundergreatdifficultiesanddiscouragements,are
abundant,andtheyvindicatethetheoryofsuccessthusfeeblyandwithhomelycommonsense,
presented.Forexample:HughMiller,whoselamenteddeathmantledthemountainsandvalleys
ofhisnativelandwithabroadshadowofsorrow,scarcelyyetlifted,wasagrandexampleofthe
successof
persistent
devotion,
under
great
difficulties,
to
work
and
to
the
acquisition
of
knowledge. Inacountryjustlydistinguished for itsschoolsandcolleges,he, likeRobertBurns,
Scotia'smatchlesssonofsong,wasthetruechildofscience,asBurnswasofsong.Hewashisown
college.Theearthwashisschoolandtherockswerehisschoolmaster.Outsideofallthelearned
institutionsofhiscountry,andwhileemployedwithhischiselandhammer,asastonemason,this
manliterallykilledtwobirdswithonestone;forheearnedhisdailybreadandatthesametime
madehimselfaneminentgeologist,andgavetotheworldbookswhichare found inallpublic
librariesandwhicharefullofinspirationtothetruthseeker.
NotunlikethecaseofHughMiller, isthatofourownElihuBurritt.Thetrueheartwarmswith
admirationfortheenergyandperseverencedisplayedinthisman'spursuitofknowledge.Wecall
him "The learned blacksmith," and the distinctionwas fairly earned and fitlyworn.Over the
polishedanvilandglowingforge;amidstthesmoke,dustanddieoftheblacksmith'sshop;amidst
theblazingfiresandhissingsparks,andwhilehammeringtheredhotsteel,thisbravesonoftoil
issaidtohavemasteredtwentydifferentlanguages,livinganddead.
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It is surprisingwithwhat smallmeans, in the field of earnest effort, great results have been
achieved. That neither costly apparatus nor packed libraries are necessarily required by the
earneststudentinselfculture,wasdemonstratedinaremarkablemannerbyLouisKossuth.That
illustriouspatriot,
scholar
and
statesman,
came
to
our
country
from
the
far
east
of
Europe,
a
completemasterof theEnglish language.He spokeourdifficult tonguewithaneloquenceas
statelyandgrandasthatofthebestAmericanorators.Whenaskedhowheobtainedthismastery
of languagesoforeigntohim,hetoldusthathisschoolhousewasanAustrianprison,andhis
schoolbooks,theBible,Shakespeare,andanoldEnglishdictionary.
SidebysidewiththegreatHungarian,letmenametheKingofAmericanselfmademen;theman
whorosehighestandwillberemembered longestas themostpopularandbelovedPresident
sinceWashingtonABRAHAMLINCOLN.Thismancametous,notfromtheschoolsorfromthe
mansionsof
ease
and
luxury,
but
from
the
back
woods.
He
mastered
his
grammar
by
the
light
of
apinewoodtorch.Thefortitudeandindustrywhichcouldsplitrailsbyday,andlearngrammarat
nightatthehearthstoneofaloghutandbytheunsteadyglareofapinewoodknot,preparedthis
manforaservicetohiscountrytomankind,whichonlythemostexaltedcouldhaveperformed.
Theexamplesthusfargiven,belongtotheCaucasianrace;buttotheAfricanrace,aswell,weare
indebted for examples equally worthy and inspiring. Benjamin Bannecker, a man of African
descent,bornandrearedinthestateofMaryland,andacotemporarywiththegreatmenofthe
revolution,isworthytobementionedwiththehighestofhisclass.Hewasaslave,withheldfrom
allthoseinspiringmotiveswhichfreedom,honoranddistinctionfurnishtoexertion;andyetthis
mansecuredanEnglisheducation;becamealearnedmathematician,wasanexcellentsurveyor,
assistedtolayoutthecityofWashington,andcompelledhonorablerecognitionfromsomeofthe
mostdistinguishedscholarsandstatesmenofthatearlydayoftheRepublic.
Theintellectofthenegrowasthen,asnow,thesubjectoflearnedinquiry.Mr.Jefferson,among
otherstatesmenandphilosophers,whileheconsideredslaveryanevil,entertainedaratherlow
estimateofthenegro'smentalability.Hethoughtthatthenegromightbecomelearnedinmusic
andin
language,
but
that
mathematics
were
quite
out
of
the
question
with
him.
InthisdebateBenjaminBanneckercameuponthesceneandmateriallyassistedinliftinghisrace
toahigherconsiderationthanthatinwhichithasbeenpreviouslyheld.Banneckerwasnotonly
proficientasawriter,but,likeJefferson,hewasaphilosopher.HearingofMr.Jefferson'sopinion
ofnegrointellect,hetooknooffensebutcalmlyaddressedthatstatesmanaletterandacopyof
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analmanacforwhichhehasmadetheastronomicalcalculations.ThereplyofMr.Jeffersonisthe
highestpraiseIwishtobestowuponthisblackselfmademan.ItisbriefandItakegreatpleasure
inpresentingit.
Sir:
Ithankyousincerelyforyourletterandthealmanacitcontains.NobodymorethanIdo,wishes
toseesuchproofsasyouexhibit,thatnaturehasgivenourblackbrethrentalentsequaltothose
ofothercolorsofmen,and that theappearanceof thewantof them, isowingmainly to the
degradingconditionsoftheirexistenceinAfricaandAmerica.Ihavetakenthelibertyofsending
youralmanactoMonsieurCordozett,SecretaryoftheAcademyofScienceatParis,andamember
ofthePhilanthropicSociety,becauseIconsidereditadocumentofwhichyourwholeracehada
right,
for
their
justification
against
the
doubts
entertained
of
them.
Iam,withgreatesteem,sir,
Yourmostobedientservant,
THOMASJEFFERSON.
ThiswastheimpressionmadebyanintelligentnegrouponthefatherofAmericanDemocracy,in
theearlier
and
better
years
of
the
Republic.
Iwish
that
it
were
possible
to
make
asimilar
impressionuponthechildrenoftheAmericanDemocracyofthisgeneration.Jeffersonwasnot
ashamedtocalltheblackmanhisbrotherandtoaddresshimasagentleman.
I am sorry thatBanneckerwasnot entirelyblack, because in theUnited States, the slightest
infusionofTeutonicblood isthoughttobesufficienttoaccountforanyconsiderabledegreeof
intelligencefoundunderanypossiblecoloroftheskin.
ButBanneckerisnottheonlycoloredexamplethatIcangive.WhileIturnwithhonestprideto
Bannecker, who lived a hundred years ago, and invoked his aid to roll back the tide of
disparagementandcontemptwhichprideandprejudicehavepouredoutagainstthecoloredrace,
Icanalsociteexamplesoflikeenergyinourownday.
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WilliamDietz,ablackmanofAlbany,NewYork,withwhomIwaspersonallyacquaintedandof
whomIcanspeakfromactualknowledge,isonesuch.Thismanbyindustry,fidelityandgeneral
aptitudeforbusinessaffairs,rosefromthehumblecallingofhouseservantintheDudleyfamily
ofthatcity,tobecomethesolemanagerofthefamilyestatevaluedatthreemillionsofdollars.
Itiscustomarytoassertthatthenegroinventedanything,andthat,ifheweretodaystruckoutof
life,therewould,intwentyyears,benothinglefttotellofhisexistence.Well,thisblackman;for
hewaspositivelyandperfectlyblack;notpartially,butwhollyblack;amanwhom,afewyearsago,
someofourlearnedethnologistswouldhavereadoutofthehumanfamilyandwhomacertain
ChiefJusticewouldhaveturnedoutofcourtasacreaturehavingnorightswhichwhitemenare
boundtorespect,wasoneoftheverybestdraftsmenanddesignersinthestateofNewYork.Mr.
Dietzwasnotonlyanarchitect,buthewasalsoaninventor.Inthishewasadirectcontradiction
tothemalignersofhisrace.ThenoblerailroadbridgenowspanningtheHudsonriveratAlbany,
was,
in
all
essential
features,
designed
by
William
Dietz.
The
main
objection
against
a
bridge
across
thathighwayofcommercehadbeenthatofitsinterferenceswithnavigation.Ofallthedesigns
presented, that of Dietzwas the least objectionable on that score, andwas, in its essential
features,accepted.Mr.DietzalsodevisedaplanforanelevatedrailwaytobebuiltinBroadway,
NewYork.Thegreatobjectiontoarailwayinthatfamousthoroughfarewasthen,asnow,thatof
thenoise,dust,smoke,obstructionanddangertolifeandlimb,therebyinvolved.Dietzundertook
toremovealltheseobjectionsbysuggestinganelevatedrailway,theplanofwhichwas,atthe
time,published intheScientificAmericanandhighlycommendedbytheeditorofthatjournal.
ThethenreadersoftheScientificAmericanreadthisaccountoftheinventivenessofWilliamDietz,
butdidnotknow,asIdid,thatMr.Dietzwasablackman.Therewasnothinginhisnameorinhis
worksto
suggest
the
American
idea
of
color.
Among my dark examples I can name no man with more satisfaction than I can Toussaint
L'Overture,theheroofSantoDomingo.Thoughbornaslaveandheldaslavetillhewasfifteen
yearsofage;though,likeBannecker,hewasblackandshowednotraceofCaucasianadmixture,
historyhandshimdowntousasabraveandgeneroussoldier,awiseandpowerfulstatesman,an
ardentpatriotandasuccessfulliberatorofhispeopleandhiscountry.
Thecotemporaries
of
this
Hatien
chief
paint
him
as
without
asingle
moral
blemish;
while
friends
and foesalike,accordhim thehighestability. Inhiseulogiesnomodernherohasbeenmore
fortunatethanToussaintL'Overture.History,poetryandeloquencehaveviedwitheachotherto
dohimreverence.WodrsworthandWhittierhave,incharacteristicverse,encircledhisbrowwith
ahaloof fadelessglory,whilePhillipshasbornehimamongthegods insomething likeElijah's
chariotoffire.
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Thetestimonyoftheseandathousandotherswhohavecomeupfromdepthsofsociety,confirms
thetheorythatindustryisthemostpotentfactorinthesuccessofselfmademen,andthusraises
thedignityoflabor;forwhatevermaybeone'snaturalgifts,success,asIhavesaid,isduemainly
tothis
great
means,
open
and
free
to
all.
Awordnowuponthethirdpointsuggestedatthebeginningofthispaper;namely,Thefriendly
relationandinfluenceofAmericanideasandinstitutionstothisclassofmen.
Americaissaid,andnotwithoutreason,tobepreeminentlythehomeandpatronofselfmade
men.Here,alldoors flyopen to them. Theymayaspire to anyposition.Courts, Senatesand
Cabinets,spreadrichcarpets for their feet,and theystandamongour foremostmen inevery
honorableservice.
Many
causes
have
made
it
easy,
here,
for
this
class
to
rise
and
flourish,
and
first
among these causes is the general respectabilityof labor. Searchwhere youwill, there isno
countryontheglobewherelaborissorespectedandthelaborersohonored,asinthiscountry.
The conditions in which American society originated; the free spirit which framed its
independenceandcreateditsgovernmentbaseduponthewillofthepeople,exaltedbothlabor
andlaborer.Thestrifebetweencapitalandlaboris,here,comparativelyequal.Theoneisnotthe
haughtyandpowerfulmasterandtheothertheweakandabjectslaveasisthecaseinsomeparts
ofEurope.Here,themanoftoil isnotbowed,buterectandstrong.Hefeelsthatcapitalisnot
moreindispensablethanlabor,andhecanthereforemeetthecapitalistastherepresentativeof
anequalpower.
Ofcoursetheseremarksarenotintendedtoapplytothestateswhereslaveryhasbutrecently
existed.Thatsystemwastheextremedegradationoflabor,andthoughhappilynowabolishedits
consequences still lingerandmaynotdisappear foracentury.Today, in thepresenceof the
capitalist,theSouthernblacklaborerstandsabashed,confusedandintimidated.Heiscompelled
tobeghisfellowwormtogivehimleavetotoil.Laborcanneverberespectedwherethelaborer
isdespised.Thisistoday,thegreattroubleattheSouth.Thelandownersstillresentemancipation
andopposetheelevationoflabor.Theyhaveyettolearnthataconditionofaffairswellsuitedto
atime
of
slavery
may
not
be
well
suited
to
atime
of
freedom.
They
will
one
day
learn
that
large
farmsandignorantlaborersareaslittlesuitedtotheSouthastotheNorth.
Buttherespectabilityoflaborisnot,asalreadyintimated,theonlyorthemostpowerfulcauseof
thefacilitywithwhichmenrisefromhumbleconditionstoaffluenceandimportanceintheUnited
States.Amoresubtileandpowerfulinfluenceisexertedbythefactthattheprincipleofmeasuring
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andvaluingmenaccordingtotheirrespectivemeritsandwithoutregardtotheirantecedents,is
better established andmore generally enforced here than in any other country. In Europe,
greatnessisoftenthrustuponmen.Theyaremadelegislatorsbybirth.
"Aking
can
make
abelted
knight,
Amarquis,dukeanda'that."
Buthere,wealthandgreatnessareforcedbynosuchcapriciousandarbitrarypower.Equalityof
rightsbringsequalityofpositionsanddignities.Heresocietyveryproperlysavesitselfthetrouble
oflookingupaman'skinfolksinordertodeterminehisgradeinlifeandthemeasureofrespect
duehim.Itcaresverylittlewhowashisfatherorgrandfather.TheboastoftheJews,"Wehave
Abrahamforourfather,"hasnopracticalsignificancehere.Hewhodemandsconsiderationonthe
strengthof
areputation
of
adead
father,
is,
properly
enough,
rewarded
with
derision.
We
have
noreferencetothrowawayinthiswise.
Asapeople,wehaveonlyadecentrespectforourseniors.Wecannotbebeguiledintoaccepting
emptyheadedsonsforfullheadedfathers.Assomeonehassaid,wedispensewiththesmoke
whenthecandle isout.Inpopularphraseweexhorteverymanashecomesuponthestageof
active life,"Nowdoyour levelbest!""Helpyourself!""Putyourshouldertothewheel!""Make
yourownrecord!""Paddleyourowncanoe!""Bethearchitectofyourownfortune!"
Thesonsofillustriousmenareputupontriallikethesoundsofcommonpeople.Theymustprove
themselfrealClays,WebstersandLincolns,iftheywouldattracttothemselvesthecordialrespect
andadmirationgenerallyawarded to theirbrilliant fathers.There is,here,no lawofentailor
primogeniture.
Ourgreatmendropoutfromtheirvariousgroupsandcirclesofgreatnessasbrightmeteorsvanish
fromtheblueoverhangingskybearingawaytheirownsilverylightandleavingtheplaceswhere
theyonce
shone
so
brightly,
robed
in
darkness
till
relighted
in
turn
by
the
glory
of
succeeding
ones.
Iwouldnotassumethatweareentirelydevoidofaffectionforfamiliesandforgreatnames.We
havethisfeeling,butitisafeelingqualifiedandlimitedbythepopularthought;athoughtwhich
springs from the heartof free institutions and isdestined to grow stronger the longer these
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institutionsshallendure.GeorgeWashington,Jr.,orAndrewJackson,Jr.,standnobetterofbeing
futurePresidentsthandothesonsofSmithorJones,orthesonsofanybodyelse.
Weareinthis,asEdmundQuincyoncesaidoftherappingspirits,willtohavedonewithpeople
whenthey
are
done
with
us.
We
reject
living
pretenders
ifthey
come
only
in
the
old
clothes
of
the
dead.
Wehaveasapeoplenopastandverylittlepresent,butaboundlessandgloriousfuture.Withus,
itisnotsomuchwhathasbeen,orwhatisnow,butwhatistobeinthegoodtimecoming.Our
mottoesare"Lookhead!"and"Goahead!",andespeciallythelatter.Ourmoralatmosphereisfull
ofthe inspirationofhopeandcourage.Everymanhashischance.IfhecannotbePresidenthe
can,atleast,beprosperous.Inthisrespect,Americaisnotonlytheexceptiontothegeneralrule,
but
the
social
wonder
of
the
world.
Europe,
with
her
divine
right
governments
and
ultra
montane
doctrines;withhersharplydefinedandfirmlyfixedclasses;eachclasscontentifitcanholditsown
against theothers, inspires littleof individualhopeorcourage.Men,onallsides,endeavor to
continuefromyouthtooldageintheirseveralcallingsandtoabideintheirseveralstations.They
seldomhopeforanythingmoreorbetterthanthis.Onceinawhile,itistrue,menofextraordinary
energyand industry, like theHonorable JohnBrightand theHonorableLordBrougham, (men
whosecapacityanddispositionforworkalways lefttheirassociates littleornothingtodo)rise
eveninEngland.Suchmenwouldrisetodistinctionanywhere.Theydonotdisprovethegeneral
rule,butconfirmit.
Whatis,inthisrespect,difficultanduncommonintheOldWorld,isquiteeasyandcommonin
theNew.TothepeopleofEurope,thiseager,evermovingmasswhichwecallAmericansociety
andinwhichlifeisnotonlyarace,butabattle,andeverybodytryingtogetjustalittleaheadof
everybodyelse,looksverymuchlikeanarchy.
TheremarkisoftenmadeabroadthatthereisnospaceforreposeinAmerica.Wearesaidtobe
likethetroubledsea,and insomesensethis is true. If it isa fact it isalsoonenotwithout its
compensation.Ifweresembletheseainitstroubles,wealsoresembletheseainitspowerand
grandeur,andintheequalitiesofitsparticles.
Itissaid,thatinthecourseofcenturies,Idatenotsayhowmany,alltheoceansofthisgreatglobe
gothroughthepurifyingprocessoffiltration.Alltheirpartsareatworkandtheirrelationsareever
changing. They are, in obedience to ever varying atmospheric forces, lifted from their lowly
condition and borne away by gentle winds or furious storms to far off islands, capes and
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continents;visitingintheircourse,mountain,valleyandpain;thusfulfillingabeneficentmission
and leaving the grateful earth refreshed, enriched, invigorated, beautiful and blooming. Each
pearlydrophasitsfairchancetoriseandcontributeitssharetothehealthandhappinessofthe
world.
Such,insomesort,isatruepictureoftherestlessactivityandeverchangingrelationsofAmerican
society.Likethesea,weareconstantlyrisingabove,andreturningto,thecommonlevel.Asmall
sonfollowsagreatfather,andapoorson,arichfather.Tomymindwehavenoreasontohear
thateitherwealth,knowledgeorpowerwillbeheremonopolizedbythefewasagainstthemany.
ThesecauseswhichmakeAmericathehomeandfostermotherofselfmademen,combinedwith
universalsuffrage,will,Ihope,preserveusfromthisdanger.Withequalsuffrageinourhands,we
are
beyond
the
power
of
families,
nationalities
or
races.
Then,too,ournationalgeniuswelcomeshumanityfromeveryquarterandgrantstoallanequal
chanceintheraceoflife.
"Weasknotforhislineage,
Weasknotforhisname;
Ifmanliness
be
in
his
heart,
Henoblebirthmayclaim.
Weasknotfromwhatlandhecame,
Norwherehisyouthwasnursed;
Ifpurethestream,itmattersnot
Thespotfromwhenceitburst."
Undertheshadowofagreatname,LouisNapoleancouldstrikedownthelibertiesofFranceand
erectthethroneofadespot;butamongapeoplesojealousoflibertyastorevoltattheideaof
electing,forathirdterm,oneofourbestPresidents,nosuchexperimentasNapolean'scouldever
beattemptedhere.
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Wearesometimesdazzledbythegildedshowofaristocraticandmonarchicalinstitutions,andrun
wildtoseeaprince.Wearewillingthatthenationswhichenjoythesesuperstitionsandfollies
shallenjoytheminpeace.But,forourselves,wewantnoneofthemandwillhavenoneofthem
andcanhavenoneofthemwhilethespiritoflibertyandequalityanimatestheRepublic.
A word in conclusion, as to the criticims and embarrassments to which selfmademen are
exposed,even in thishighly favored country.A traveler through themonarchiesofEurope is
annoyed at every turn by a demand for his passport.Our government has imposed no such
burden,eitheruponthetraveleroruponitself.Butcitizensandprivateindividuals,intheirrelation
toeachotherandtheworld,demandofeveryonetheequivalentofapassporttorecognition,in
thepossessionofsomequalityoracquirementwhichshallcommenditspossessortofavor.We
believeinmakingourselvesprettywellacquaintedwiththecharacter,businessandhistoryofall
comers.Wesaytoallsuch,"Standanddeliver!"Andtothisdemandselfmademenareespecially
subject.
Thereisasmallclassofverysmallmenwhoturntheirbacksuponanyonewhopresumestobe
anybody,independentofHarvard,Yale,Princetonorothersimilarinstitutionsoflearning.These
individualscannotbelievethatanygoodcancomeoutofNazareth.Withthem,thediploma is
morethantheman.Tothatmoralenergyuponwhichdependstheliftingofhumanity,whichis
theworld'strueadvancement,theseareutterstrangers.Tothem,theworldisneverindebtedfor
progress,andtheymaysafelybelefttothegentleoblivionwhichwillsurelyovertakethem.
Bytheseremarks,however,thereismeantnodisparagementoflearning.Withallmyadmiration
forselfmademen,Iamfarfromconsideringthemthebestmademen.Theirsymmetryisoften
marredbytheeffectsoftheirextraexertion.Thehotraysofthesunandthelongandruggedroad
overwhichtheyhavebeencompelledtotravel,havelefttheirmarks,sometimesquitevisiblyand
unpleasantly,uponthem.
Whiletheworldvaluesskillandpower,itvaluesbeautyandpolish,aswell.Itwasnotalonethe
hardgoodsenseandhonestheartofHoraceGreeley,theselfmademan,thatmadetheNewYork
Tribune;butlikewisethebrilliantandthoroughlyeducatedmensilentlyassociatedwithhim.
Thereneverwasaselfmademan,howeverwelleducated,who,withthesameexertion,would
nothavebeenbettereducatedbytheaidofschoolsandcolleges.Thechargeismadeandwell
sustained,thatselfmademenarenotgenerallyovermodestorselfforgetfulmen.Itwassaidof
HoraceGreeley, thathewasa selfmademanandworshippedhismaker.Perhaps the strong
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resistancewhichsuchmenmeetinmaintainingtheirclaim,mayaccountformuchoftheirself
assertion.
Thecountryknowsbyheart,andfromhisownlips,thestoryofAndrewJackson.Inmanycases,
thevery
energies
employed,
the
obstacles
overcome,
the
heights
attained
and
the
broad
contrasts
ateverystepforcedupontheattention,tendtoinciteandstrengthenegotism.Amanindebted
forhimselftohimself,maynaturallythinkwellofhimself.
Butthisisapttobefaroverdone.Thatamanhasbeenabletomakehisownwayintheworld,is
anhumblefactaswellasanhonorableone.Itis,however,possibletostateaveryhumblefactin
averyhaughtymanner,andselfmademenare,asaclass,muchaddictedtothishabit.Bythis
peculiaritytheymakethemselvesmuchlessagreeabletosocietythantheywouldotherwisebe.
One other criticism upon thesemen is often very properlymade.Having never enjoyed the
benefits of schools, colleges and other like institutions of learning, they display for them a
contemptwhichisquiteridiculousandwhichalsomakesthemappearso.Amanmayknowmuch
abouteducatinghimself,andbutlittleaboutthepropermeansofeducatingothers.Aselfmade
manisalsoliabletobefullofcontrarieties.Hemaybelarge,butatthesametime,awkward;swift,
butungraceful;amanofpower,butdeficientinthepolishandamiableproportionsoftheaffluent
andregularlyeducatedman.Ithinkthat,generally,selfmademenanswermoreorlesscloselyto
thisdescription.
Frompracticalbenefitweareoftenaboutasmuchindebtedtoourenemies,astoourfriends;as
muchtothemenwhohiss,astothosewhoapplaud;foritmaybewithmenassomeonehassaid
about tea; that if youwish toget its strength, youmustput it intohotwater.Criticism took
TheodoreParkerfromavillagepulpitandgavehimawholecountryforaplatformandthewhole
nationforanaudience.England laughedatAmericanauthorshipandwesentherEmersonand
UncleTom'sCabin.Fromitsdestitutionoftrees,Scotlandwasonceabyword;nowitisagarden
ofbeauty.Fivegenerationsago,Britainwasashamedtowritebooksinherowntongue.Nowher
languageisspokeninallquartersoftheglobe.TheJimCrowMinstrelshave,inmanycases,led
thenegrotothestudyofmusic;whilethedoubtcastuponthenegro'stonguehassenthimtothe
lexiconandgrammarandtothestudyofGreekoratorsandorations.
Thusdetractionpavesthewayfortheveryperfectionswhichitdoubtsanddenies.
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Ladiesandgentlemen:Acceptmythanksforyourpatientattention.Iwilldetainyounolonger.If,
bystatement,argument,sentimentorexample,Ihaveawakenedinany,asenseofthedignityof
labororthevalueofmanhood,orhavestirredinanymind,acourageousresolutiontomakeone
moreefforttowardsselfimprovementandhigherusefulness,Ihavenotspokenaltogetherinvain,
andyourpatienceisjustified.