To make a contented slave it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken the moral and mental vision and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSTo make a contented slave it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken the moral and mental vision and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSWhat I ask for the Negro is not benevolence, not pity, not sympathy, but simply justice.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSIt is better to be part of a great whole than to be the whole of a small part.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSSlaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSTo suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSFind out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSIt is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSIt’s a poor rule that won’t work both ways.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSThe life of a nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSNeither we, nor any other people, will ever be respected till we respect ourselves and we will never respect ourselves till we have the means to live respectfully.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSThe limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSSlaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSThe silver trump of freedom roused in my soul eternal wakefulness.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSFreedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSWhat to the Slave is the 4th of July.
FREDERICK DOUGLASSA little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS