A slave is someone who sits down, and waits for someone to free them. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the things I wanted. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
I could, as a free man, look across the bay toward the Eastern Shore where I was born a slave. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
Fugitive slaves were rare then, and as a fugitive slave lecturer, I had the advantage of being the first one out. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
Every one of us should be ashamed to be free while his brother is a slave. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
Who would be free themselves must strike the blow. Better even to die free than to live slaves. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
Slaves were expected to sing as well as to work. A silent slave was not liked, either by masters or overseers. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
To make a contented slave it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken the moral and mental… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
[John Brown's] zeal in the cause of freedom was infinitely superior to mine. Mine was as the taper light, his was as… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
It was a glorious resurrection, from the tomb of slavery, to the heaven of slavery. My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: A day that reveals to him, more than all other… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
Beat and cuff your slave, keep him hungry and spiritless, and he will follow the chain of his master like a dog.… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
John Brown's zeal in the cause of freedom was infinitely superior to mine. Mine was as the taper light; his was as… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
I have often sung to drown my sorrow, but seldom to express my happiness. Crying for joy, and singing for joy, were… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
The church of this country is not only indifferent to the wrongs of the slave, it actually takes sides with the oppressors…… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
The marriage institution cannot exist among slaves, and one sixth of the population of democratic America is denied it's privileges by the… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“You are loosed from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and am a slave! You move merrily… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
In one point of view, we, the abolitionists and colored people, should meet [the Dred Scott] decision, unlooked for and monstrous as… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support the gospel, and babes sold to purchase Bibles for the poor… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“Experience is a keen teacher; and long before you had mastered your A B C, or knew where the "white sails" of… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“My new mistress proved to be all she appeared when I first met her at the door,—a woman of the kindest heart… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“You are loosed from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and M a slave! You move merrily… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment,… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“never having seen any authentic record containing it. By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share Image
“A treacherous President stood in the way; and it can be easily seen how reluctant good men might be to admit an apostasy which… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
“But I should be false in the earliest sentiments of my soul, if I suppressed the opinion. I prefer to be true to myself,… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
A man who will enslave his own blood, may not be safely relied on for magnamity. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
“I assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the south is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes, - a justifier of the… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
I assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the South is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes—a justifier of the most appalling… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
“We have all met a class of men, very remarkable for their activity, and who yet make but little headway in life; men who,… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
“The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work. That cheerful eye, under the influence of… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
I have observed this in my experience of slavery, that whenever my condition was improved, instead of increasing my contentment; it only increased my… — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. — Frederick Douglass Copy Share
![“[John Brown's] zeal in the cause of freedom was infinitely superior to mine. Mine was as the taper light, his was as the burning sun... I could speak for the slave. John Brown could fight for the slave.” quote by Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/4fd/frederick-douglass-859_brown_john-brown-s-zeal-in-the-cause-of-freedo_2577065.png)
![“In one point of view, we, the abolitionists and colored people, should meet [the Dred Scott] decision, unlooked for and monstrous as it appears, in a cheerful spirit. This very attempt to blot out forever the hopes of an enslaved people may be one necessary link in the chain of events preparatory…” quote by Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/33c/frederick-douglass-859_abolitionist_in-one-point-of-view-we-the-abolitionist_2046976.jpg)
