W. E. B. Du Bois Quotes

A collection of quotes by W. E. B. Du Bois.

W. E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963) was a prominent African-American scholar, activist, and writer. Born in Massachusetts, Du Bois became the first African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University. He co-founded the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and played a crucial role in advocating for civil rights and racial equality. Du Bois wrote extensively on issues of race and social justice, most notably in his influential book, "The Souls of Black Folk." His work and activism have had a lasting impact on the fight for racial equality in the United States.

Education is the development of power and ideal.

Education is the development of power and ideal.

W. E. B. Du Bois


The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.

The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.

W. E. B. Du Bois


Education must not simply teach work - it must teach Life.

Education must not simply teach work - it must teach Life.

W. E. B. Du Bois


The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not sim

The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not simply for pay; the thinker must think for truth, not for fame.

W. E. B. Du Bois


I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their

I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love.

W. E. B. Du Bois


One ever feels his twoness - an American, a Negro two souls,

One ever feels his twoness - an American, a Negro two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Alone

A little less complaint and whining, and a little more dogge

A little less complaint and whining, and a little more dogged work and manly striving, would do us more credit than a thousand civil rights bills.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Work

An American, a Negro... two souls, two thoughts, two unrecon

An American, a Negro... two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Alone

There are certain books in the world which every searcher fo

There are certain books in the world which every searcher for truth must know: the Bible, the Critique of Pure Reason, the Origin of Species, and Karl Marx's Capital.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Books

The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the c

The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line -- the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea. It was a phase of this problem that caused the Civil War.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Racism

To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of

To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Poverty

But what of black women?... I most sincerely doubt if any ot

But what of black women?... I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Women

The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what

The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?

W. E. B. Du Bois

Power

Education is that whole system of human training within and

Education is that whole system of human training within and without the school house walls, which molds and develops men.

W. E. B. Du Bois

Education