---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have myself known two southern wives…"
description: "\"“I have myself known two southern wives who exhorted their husbands to free those slaves towards whom they stood in a \"parental relation;\" and their re..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/harriet-a-jacobs-65907_american-history_i-have-myself-known-two-southern-wives-w_1730937.jpg"
---

#  I have myself known two southern wives who exhorted their…

![“I have myself known two southern wives who exhorted their husbands to free those slaves towards whom they stood in a &quot;parental relation;&quot; and their request was granted. These husbands blushed before the superior nobleness of their wives' natures. Though they had only counseled them to do that…” quote by Harriet A. Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/harriet-a-jacobs-65907_american-history_i-have-myself-known-two-southern-wives-w_1730937.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/harriet-a-jacobs-65907_american-history_i-have-myself-known-two-southern-wives-w_1730937.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/harriet-a-jacobs-65907_american-history_i-have-myself-known-two-southern-wives-w_1730937.jpg)

> ““I have myself known two southern wives who exhorted their husbands to free those slaves towards whom they stood in a "parental relation;" and their request was granted. These husbands blushed before the superior nobleness of their wives' natures. Though they had only counseled them to do that which was their duty to do, it commanded their respect, and rendered their conduct more exemplary. Concealment was at an end, and confidence took the place of distrust.””

Harriet A. Jacobs

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Wives persuaded their husbands to free enslaved people they cared for, gaining respect and ending secrecy.

**In simple terms:** Wives urged husbands to free slaves, earning respect and openness.

Key Takeaway

Moral courage can inspire change.

Themes

justice family morality leadership

Mood

hopeful determined reflective

Type

historical inspirational ethical

When to use this quote

- marriage discussions
- activist planning
- community organizing
- family counseling

Key Concepts

ethical persuasion social responsibility gender dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can personal relationships drive social reform?
- What risks do allies face when confronting injustice?

A Different Perspective

Resistance may be limited by legal constraints and personal risk.

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[American history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-history/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) [Southern women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southern-women/) [The-south](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-south/)

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