Freedom Quote by David McCullough
““She was particularly curious about the Viginians, wondering if, as slaveholders, they had the necessary commitment to the cause of freedom. "I have," she wrote, "sometimes been ready to think that the passions for liberty cannot be equally strong in the breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow creature of theirs." What she felt about those in Massachusetts who owned slaves, including her own father, she did not say, but she need not have--John knew her mind on the subject. Writing to him during the First Congress, she had been unmistakably clear: "I wish most sincerely there was not a slave in the province. It always seemed a most iniquitous scheme to me--[to] fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life of John Adams by David McCullough, 2001
A woman grapples with the paradox of slave‑holding while yearning for liberty, highlighting the moral conflict of those who own slaves yet claim to value freedom.
In simple terms: She sees the contradiction of slave owners desiring freedom.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront moral contradictions in society.
Themes
morality
history
slavery
freedom
ethical conflict
Mood
somber
inquisitive
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- activism
- policy discussion
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
human rights
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we reconcile past injustices with present values?
- What actions can address lingering inequities?
A Different Perspective
Historical context may limit direct applicability today.
