Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, 1918-1967

When We laid the foundation for the progress and development of the country, the fact that we granted the Constitution was in order to strengthen unity so that our country will be built around the idea of one Emperor and one Government in which everyone will be conscious of his duty based upon the principle of one for all and all for one. We have chosen education as Our primary concern because we believe that it is the instrument by which Our aims could be brought to fruition.

The spirit of unity within Ethiopia around one Emperor emanated from the people of Begemder, and their patriotic efforts have been crowned with laurels. We have made it Our constant concern to help them in their quest for learning for which We have established the various schools and institutions of learning. Through education one can keep himself healthy; one can acquire the knowledge of many other things; but without health, education and growth of a population are unattainable. Today when We present you with these certificates of accomplishment, Our heart over-flows with joy.

Now that you are to begin the medical and health profession, We recommend that you work diligently, for treatment and cure alone is not enough for a country; prevention is also necessary. The Amhara race must know that it has an obligation on its part to work in the technical field, no matter at what level. To preserve the heritage of one's honour and culture is praiseworthy, but to exceed the limits may prove detrimental.

We have ventured to say this because it has come to Our knowledge that there exists here scorn for labour. We have come after having laid the foundation stones for the establishment of a textile factory, a hydro-electric plant and for a bridge in the development of highways in order to help in the advancement of the people of Begemder and Gojjam. Unless the people benefit through work Our efforts and thoughts will have been in vain. They will have also violated the wish of the Almighty that by one's toil he must earn his living. Much cannot be accomplished in the pursuit of spiritual advancement, let alone that of material gains, without labour. Learn! Work! We have established community education so that both the youth and the adult may learn. Education and the quest for knowledge stop only at the grave....

May 18, 1959.

Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I

PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATION-GONDAR