--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: God knows that I detest slavery, but it…" description: "\"“God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, and give it such protection as i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg" --- # God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing… ![“God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the constitution, till we can get rid of it without destroying the last hope of free government in the world,”[629]” quote by Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg) > ““God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the constitution, till we can get rid of it without destroying the last hope of free government in the world,”\[629\]”” [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote acknowledges slavery as a moral evil that persists due to constitutional protections, urging endurance and eventual abolition without destroying democratic hopes. **In simple terms:** Slavery is a protected evil we must endure until we can end it safely. Key Takeaway Balance patience with active reform. Themes morality constitution political strategy human rights Mood reflective urgent Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - legislative reform - civil rights activism - constitutional debate - education curricula Key Concepts ethics law political theory Questions to Reflect On - How can we reconcile constitutional limits with moral urgency? - What immediate actions can reduce slavery’s harms? A Different Perspective It assumes endurance is sufficient, ignoring urgent moral imperatives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Detest Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detest-slavery-4160624/) [Evil Responsible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-responsible-4313844/) [Existing Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existing-evil-2584397/) [God knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-knows/) [Guaranteed Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guaranteed-constitution-449278/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) [Slavery Existing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery-existing-349335/) ## Related quotes > [God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, till…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millard-fillmore/god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-is-an-existing-evil-for-which/) [Millard Fillmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millard-fillmore/) > [God knows I detest slavery but it is an existing evil, and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millard-fillmore/god-knows-i-detest-slavery-but-it-is-an-existing-evil-and-we-must/) [Millard Fillmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millard-fillmore/) > [You can best fight any existing evil from the inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hattie-mcdaniel/you-can-best-fight-any-existing-evil-from-the-inside/) [Hattie McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hattie-mcdaniel/) > [Frankly, Django is an American story that needs to be told, when you think of slavery existing in this country for 245 years. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/frankly-django-is-an-american-story-that-needs-to-be-told-when-you/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [Can you look forward to the future of our country and imagine any state of things in which, with slavery still existing, we should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dale-owen/can-you-look-forward-to-the-future-of-our-country-and-imagine-any/) [Robert Dale Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dale-owen/) > [In the first place, I insist that our fathers did not make this nation half slave and half free, or part slave and part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-the-first-place-i-insist-that-our-fathers-did-not-make-this-nation/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I simply cannot stand by and watch a right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States come under attack from those who either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlton-heston/i-simply-cannot-stand-by-and-watch-a-right-guaranteed-by-the/) [Charlton Heston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlton-heston/) > [It will be the duty of the Executive, with sufficient appropriations for the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all who have been engaged in depriving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutherford-b-hayes/it-will-be-the-duty-of-the-executive-with-sufficient-appropriations/) [Rutherford B. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutherford-b-hayes/) > [Fundamentalist Christianity is not just a threat to lesbians and gays, but to all Americans who cherish democracy and the rights and protections guaranteed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-white/fundamentalist-christianity-is-not-just-a-threat-to-lesbians-and-gays/) [Mel White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-white/) > [If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-the-personal-freedoms-guaranteed-by-the-constitution-inhibit-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Constitution should contain a provision that every officer of the Government who should neglect or refuse to extend the protection guaranteed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/the-constitution-should-contain-a-provision-that-every-officer-of-the/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [“The Vishaka judgment made it clear that gender equality and the right to a safe and secure working place is part of the fundamental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justice-asok-kumar-ganguly/the-vishaka-judgment-made-it-clear-that-gender-equality-and-the-right/) [Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justice-asok-kumar-ganguly/) > [ \[The current governing judicial philosophy is:\] If you want something passionately enough, it is guaranteed by the Constitution. No need to fiddle around gathering… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bork/the-current-governing-judicial-philosophy-is-if-you-want-something/) [Robert Bork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bork/) > [Often in America, access to the freedoms and privileges guaranteed under the Constitution are determined by ZIP code.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/often-in-america-access-to-the-freedoms-and-privileges-guaranteed/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [The Supreme Court is the last line of defense for the separation of powers and for the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-kavanaugh/the-supreme-court-is-the-last-line-of-defense-for-the-separation-of/) [Brett Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-kavanaugh/) ## More by Robert J. Rayback > [“These businessmen, however, desired more than the simple elimination of imprisonment for defaulting debtors. They wanted a bankruptcy law that would abolish the debt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/these-businessmen-however-desired-more-than-the-simple-elimination-of/) [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) > [“The man who can look upon a crisis without being willing to offer himself upon the altar of his country is not fit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/the-man-who-can-look-upon-a-crisis-without-being-willing-to-offer/) [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) > [“The American scene required harmonization of its discordant groups, and responsibility for the task belonged to the practitioners of politics.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/the-american-scene-required-harmonization-of-its-discordant-groups/) [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) > [“sectional peace had made it possible for the President and his lady to join the elite and “roll in the most stylish equipage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/sectional-peace-had-made-it-possible-for-the-president-and-his-lady/) [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) > [“Each eager contestant strove to embarrass the other. Webster opposed a special session of Congress as unnecessary, and Clay sought to influence the cabinet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/each-eager-contestant-strove-to-embarrass-the-other-webster-opposed-a/) [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) > [ “May God save the country; for it is evident the people will not...”\[381\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/may-god-save-the-country-for-it-is-evident-the-people-will-not-381/) [Robert J. Rayback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) [Explore all 7 Robert J. Rayback quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/) ## More God knows quotes > [People often take me wrong I didn't feel bad I just smile beause onely god knows what is in person heart :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/musfirah/people-often-take-me-wrong-i-didn-t-feel-bad-i-just-smile-beause/) [Musfirah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/musfirah/) > [Single Truth Behind EveryHEART-ACHELOVE Hurts WhenGOD Knows¦You Deserves SomeoneElse ¦.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinku-razoria/single-truth-behind-everyheart-achelove-hurts-whengod-knows-you/) [Tinku Razoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinku-razoria/) > [Life is like riding on a bus. God is the driver and I am the passenger. Have faith God knows which route to take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefroy-hanson/life-is-like-riding-on-a-bus-god-is-the-driver-and-i-am-the-passenger/) [Jefroy Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefroy-hanson/) > [If God knows me I will never forget him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trunxbeats/if-god-knows-me-i-will-never-forget-him/) [Trunxbeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trunxbeats/) > [I care more about what God knows than what man says.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mustaine/i-care-more-about-what-god-knows-than-what-man-says/) [Dave Mustaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mustaine/) > [God alone knows how great it is. All I hope is that it is not too late. I am very much afraid that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/god-alone-knows-how-great-it-is-all-i-hope-is-that-it-is-not-too-late/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“You think my feelings toward you apathetic? You think you bore me?” “Don’t I?” He shook his head slowly, continuing toward her, stalking her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/you-think-my-feelings-toward-you-apathetic-you-think-you-bore-me-don/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [...God does not possess a private knowledge of Himself and a separate knowledge of all the creatures in common. The universal Cause, by knowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-dionysius/god-does-not-possess-a-private-knowledge-of-himself-and-a-separate/) [Pope Dionysius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-dionysius/) > [ Does God know he \[exists\]?" "Of course he does. Otherwise, you could not have asked the question, and I could not have answered. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/does-god-know-he-exists-of-course-he-does-otherwise-you-could-not/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [God knows we are subtle creatures who are more than able to use candour to avoid acknowledging our deceptions of others and ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-hauerwas/god-knows-we-are-subtle-creatures-who-are-more-than-able-to-use/) [Stanley Hauerwas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-hauerwas/) > [“The last days before graduation are bad enough, God knows--out of the womb you go, ready or not. The halls rang with the laughter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-savage/the-last-days-before-graduation-are-bad-enough-god-knows-out-of-the/) [Elizabeth Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-savage/) > [“Women are odd. I really mean that. A woman doesn't know the effect she has on a man. Any woman affects every man with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-gash/women-are-odd-i-really-mean-that-a-woman-doesn-t-know-the-effect-she/) [Jonathan Gash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-gash/) > [“There’s strength in observing one’s miniaturization. That you are insignificant and prone to, and God knows, dumb about a lot. Because doesn’t smallness prime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/durga-chew-bose/there-s-strength-in-observing-one-s-miniaturization-that-you-are/) [Durga Chew-Bose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/durga-chew-bose/) > [God knows what is best for us, and He will lead us to where we need to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mild-z-de-asis/god-knows-what-is-best-for-us-and-he-will-lead-us-to-where-we-need-to/) [Mild'z De Asis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mild-z-de-asis/) > [“Poor Chameli. Born an anomaly and abandoned at birth. God knows what she must have gone through as a child. How many times must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faiqa-mansab/poor-chameli-born-an-anomaly-and-abandoned-at-birth-god-knows-what/) [Faiqa Mansab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faiqa-mansab/) [Browse all 1,124 God knows quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-knows/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must endure it, and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the constitution, till we can get rid of it without destroying the last hope of free government in the world,”[629]”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert J. Rayback" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-is-an-existing-evil-for-which-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "God knows" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-is-an-existing-evil-for-which-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/robert-j-rayback-49369_god-knows_god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-i_3213596.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“God knows that I detest slavery, but it is an existing evil, for which we are not responsible, and we must…” — Robert J. Rayback", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert J. Rayback", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-rayback/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“God knows that I detest slavery,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-is-an-existing-evil-for-which-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-rayback/god-knows-that-i-detest-slavery-but-it-is-an-existing-evil-for-which-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```