Benjamin Banneker

Evil communication corrupts good manners. I hope to live to hear that good communication corrects bad manners. ”

The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers. ”

I have no influence with the rising generation. All my arguments have failed to induce them to set bounds to their wants. ”

Presumption should never make us neglect that which appears easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties. ”

I am of the African race, and in the colour which is natural to them of the deepest dye; and it is under a sense of the most profound gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. ”

Standing at my door, I heard the discharge of a gun, and in four or five seconds of time, after the discharge, the small shot came rattling about me, one or two of which struck the house; which plainly demonstrates that the velocity of sound is greater than that of a cannon bullet. ”