Accounts Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There is no permanent class of hired laborers amongst us. Twenty-five years ago, I was a hired laborer. The hired laborer of yesterday, labors on his own account today; and will hire others to labor for him tomorrow.”
About This Quote
Highlights the false claim that enslaved people were better off than free laborers, emphasizing social mobility and the self-reliance of former laborers who become employers.
In simple terms: Critiques Southern justification of slavery and shows labor class fluidity.
Key Takeaway
Labor status can change; oppression is not justified by economic arguments.
Themes
social mobility
labor class
slavery justification
economic inequality
historical perspective
Mood
defiant
reflective
critical
Type
historical
political
social
When to use this quote
- debates on slavery
- discussions of labor rights
- historical lectures
- social justice workshops
Key Concepts
class dynamics
self-employment
historical labor relations
Practical Applications
- educational curricula on labor history
- policy analysis of labor markets
Questions to Reflect On
- How does economic self-sufficiency affect power structures?
- What lessons can modern labor markets learn from this historical shift?
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
