America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future.

Quote by Frederick Douglass

Topics: Frederick Douglass Quotes

Fugitive slaves were rare then, and as a fugitive slave lecturer, I had the advantage...

Fugitive slaves were rare then, and as a fugitive slave lecturer, I had the advantage...

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.

It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower,...

It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower,...

People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly...

People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly...

Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops...

Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops...

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one...

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one...

We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to...

We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to...

I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the...

I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the...

There is no negro problem. The problem is whether the American people have loyalty enough,...

There is no negro problem. The problem is whether the American people have loyalty enough,...

Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops...

Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation, are people who want crops...

I recognize the Republican party as the sheet anchor of the colored man's political hopes...

I recognize the Republican party as the sheet anchor of the colored man's political hopes...

The soul that is within me no man can degrade.

The soul that is within me no man can degrade.

Man's greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers...

Man's greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers...

A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is...

A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is...

Slaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.

Slaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

The white man's happiness cannot be purchased by the black man's misery.

The white man's happiness cannot be purchased by the black man's misery.

He who depends on himself will attain the greatest happiness.

He who depends on himself will attain the greatest happiness.

Happiness consists in activity. It is running steam, not a stagnant pool.

Happiness consists in activity. It is running steam, not a stagnant pool.