"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose."
Read quote
21 likes
Quote collection
Frederick Douglass quotes (page 5 of 12)
232 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"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."
Read quote
21 likes
"The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation's history — the very ring-bolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny. Pride and patriotism, not less than gratitude, prompt you to celebrate and to hold it in perpetual remembrance. I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation's destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost."
Read quote
20 likes
"Everybody has asked the question, ... 'What shall we do with the Negro?' I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! You're doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, ... let them fall! I am not for tying or fastening them on the tree in any way, except by nature's plan, and if they will not stay there, let them fall. And if the Negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also."
Read quote
20 likes
"You have to take power. No one gives it."
Read quote
20 likes
"Let us render the tyrant no aid; let us not hold the light by which he can trace the footprints of our flying brother."
Read quote
20 likes
"The marriage institution cannot exist among slaves, and one sixth of the population of democratic America is denied it's privileges by the law of the land. What is to be thought of a nation boasting of its liberty, boasting of it's humanity, boasting of its Christianity, boasting of its love of justice and purity, and yet having within its own borders three millions of persons denied by law the right of marriage?"
Read quote
20 likes
"Interpreted as it ought to be interpreted, the constitution is a Glorious Liberty Document!"
Read quote
19 likes
"There are at the present moment many colored men in the Confederate army doing duty not only as cooks, servants and laborers , but as real soldiers, having muskets on their shoulders, and bullets in their pockets, ready to shoot down loyal troops, and do all that soldiers may to destroy the Federal Government and build up that of the traitors and rebels."
Read quote
19 likes
"In this denial of the right to participate in government, not merely the degradation of woman and the perpetuation of a great injustice happens, but the maiming and repudiation of one-half of the moral and intellectual power of the government of the world."
Read quote
19 likes
"Slaves 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."
Read quote
19 likes
"From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise."
Read quote
19 likes
"When men sow the wind it is rational to expect that they will reap the whirlwind."
Read quote
19 likes
"The American Constitution is a written instrument full and complete in itself. No Court in America, no Congress, no President, can add a single word thereto, or take a single word threreto. It is a great national enactment done by the people, and can only be altered, amended, or added to by the people."
Read quote
18 likes
"The Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. Read its preamble, consider it purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? it is neither."
Read quote
18 likes
"The silver trump of freedom roused in my soul eternal wakefulness."
Read quote
18 likes
"It is better to be part of a great whole than to be the whole of a small part."
Read quote
17 likes
"Opportunity is important but exertion is indispensable."
Read quote
17 likes
"A man's character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him."
Read quote
17 likes
"If the Negro knows enough to pay taxes to support the government, he knows enough to vote; taxation and representation should go together. If he knows enough to shoulder a musket and fight for the flag, fight for the government, he knows enough to vote."
Read quote
17 likes