Enslaved Quote by Wilkie Collins
““It is not for you to say - you Englishmen, who have conquered your freedom so long ago, that you have conveniently forgotten what blood you shed, and what extremities you proceeded to in the conquering - it is not for you to say how far the worst of all exasperations may, or may not, carry the maddened men of an enslaved nation. The iron that has entered into our souls has gone too deep for you to find it. Leave the refugee alone! Laugh at him, distrust him, open your eyes in wonder at the secret self which smolders in him, sometimes under the every-day respectability and tranquility of a man like me - sometimes under the grinding poverty, the fierce squalor, of men less lucky, less pliable, less patient than I am - but judge us not. In the time of your first Charles you might have done us justice - the long luxury of your freedom has made you incapable of doing us justice now. ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, 1859
The speaker warns that those in power cannot fully understand the deep, lasting trauma of oppression, and urges empathy rather than judgment toward the marginalized.
In simple terms: Powerful people often misjudge the suffering of the oppressed.
Key Takeaway
Practice empathy and avoid judging the disadvantaged.
Themes
empathy
oppression
justice
colonialism
class
identity
Mood
reflective
somber
critical
Type
political
social
literary
When to use this quote
- refugee support
- social work
- policy making
- community outreach
- education on historical injustice
Key Concepts
psychological trauma
social hierarchy
colonial legacy
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better recognize hidden suffering in others?
- What actions show true solidarity with oppressed groups?
A Different Perspective
The speaker’s perspective may be limited by personal bias and historical context.
