What does the author suggest to be the role of hard work in any man's life

Washington is a strong advocate of hard work and self-reliance and believes that individual merit will bring success regardless of one's race. Even as a child, he expresses admiration for these traits, praising his mother for making him a cap for school rather than going into debt to purchase one. At Tuskegee, he insists not only that students learn and practice a trade, but also that they grow their own food, construct their own buildings, and build their own furniture. He condemns wasteful spending and often reiterates the idea that people who make themselves useful will be valued in society, no matter the color of their skin.