In chapter 1 of up from slavery how might this influence the rest of his life?

In 'Up From Slavery' by Booker T. Washington, his life as a slave is described. He looked upon the plantation on which slaves worked very hard, as something that negated the quality of hard work. Neither the blacks or their white masters looked upon work as a positive, but instead, something to be gotten out of, if possible. Understanding this, influenced the rest of his life, and how he taught others.