If slavery be a sin, it is not yours. It does not rest on…
“If slavery be a sin, it is not yours. It does not rest on your action for its origin, on your consent for its existence. It is a common law right to property in the service of man; its origin was Divine decree.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Slavery is presented as a divine right and common law, deflecting personal responsibility.
In simple terms: Slavery justified by divine decree.
Question moral justifications.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- activism
- policy debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societies justify oppression?
- What role does law play in morality?
Divine justification is historically contested.