Quotes by W. E. B. Du Bois

About W. E. B. Du Bois:

William Edward Burghardt was an American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author and editor. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois grew up in a relatively tolerant and integrated community. After completing graduate work at the University of Berlin and Harvard, where he was the first African American to earn a doctorate, he became a professor of history, sociology and economics at Atlanta University. Du Bois was one of the co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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

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

Most men today cannot conceive of a freedom that does not involve somebody's slavery.

W. E. B. Du Bois

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

Believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader, and fuller life.

W. E. B. Du Bois

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

W. E. B. Du Bois

A classic is a book that doesn't have to be written again.

W. E. B. Du Bois

When you have mastered numbers, you will in fact no longer be reading numbers, any more than you read words when reading books You will be reading meanings.

W. E. B. Du Bois

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

W. E. B. Du Bois

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

The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line.

W. E. B. Du Bois

To stimulate wildly weak and untrained minds is to play with mighty fires.

W. E. B. Du Bois

It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity.

W. E. B. Du Bois

If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence be known.

W. E. B. Du Bois

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

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

Author Bio

  • NameW. E. B. Du Bois
  • DescriptionAmerican sociologist, historian, activist and writer
  • AliasesWilliam Edward Burghardt Du Bois; W.E.B. Du Bois; WEB Du Bois
  • BornFebruary 23, 1868
  • DiedAugust 27, 1963
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionHistorian; Novelist; Philosopher; Writer; Sociologist; Social Worker; Human Rights Activist
  • AwardsSpingarn Medal