I would rather drudge out my life on a cotton plantation, till the grave opened to give me rest, than to live with an unprincipled master and a jealous mistress.

Quote by Harriet Ann Jacobs

Topics: Harriet Ann Jacobs Quotes

When I was nearly twelve years old, my kind mistress sickened and died.

When I was nearly twelve years old, my kind mistress sickened and died.

Cruelty is contagious in uncivilized communities.

Cruelty is contagious in uncivilized communities.

But to the slave mother New Year's day comes laden with peculiar sorrows. She sits...

But to the slave mother New Year's day comes laden with peculiar sorrows. She sits...

But I now entered on my fifteenth year - a sad epoch in the life...

But I now entered on my fifteenth year - a sad epoch in the life...

Southern women often marry a man knowing that he is the father of many little...

Southern women often marry a man knowing that he is the father of many little...

The secrets of slavery are concealed like those of the Inquisition.

The secrets of slavery are concealed like those of the Inquisition.

When I was six years old, my mother died; and then, for the first time,...

When I was six years old, my mother died; and then, for the first time,...

When my babe was born, they said it was premature. It weighed only four pounds;...

When my babe was born, they said it was premature. It weighed only four pounds;...

I WAS born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy...

I WAS born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy...

When they told me my new-born babe was a girl, my heart was heavier than...

When they told me my new-born babe was a girl, my heart was heavier than...

If a slave is unwilling to go with his new master, he is whipped, or...

If a slave is unwilling to go with his new master, he is whipped, or...

Dr. Flint had sworn that he would make me suffer, to my last day, for...

Dr. Flint had sworn that he would make me suffer, to my last day, for...

There is something akin to freedom in having a lover who has no control over...

There is something akin to freedom in having a lover who has no control over...

There is a great difference between Christianity and religion at the south. If a man...

There is a great difference between Christianity and religion at the south. If a man...

DURING the first years of my service in Dr. Flint's family, I was accustomed to...

DURING the first years of my service in Dr. Flint's family, I was accustomed to...

For years, my master had done his utmost to pollute my mind with foul images,...

For years, my master had done his utmost to pollute my mind with foul images,...

Death is better than slavery.

Death is better than slavery.

The slave girl is reared in an atmosphere of licentiousness and fear.

The slave girl is reared in an atmosphere of licentiousness and fear.

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt...

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt...

If you want to be fully convinced of the abominations of slavery, go on a...

If you want to be fully convinced of the abominations of slavery, go on a...