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

Quote by Frederick Douglass

Topics: Frederick Douglass Quotes

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...

A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.

A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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

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

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...

A man's character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color...

A man's character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color...

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,...

I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.

I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion.

The thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion.

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...

I expose slavery in this country, because to expose it is to kill it. Slavery...

I expose slavery in this country, because to expose it is to kill it. Slavery...

The soul that is within me no man can degrade.

The soul that is within me no man can degrade.

The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and...

The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and...

When men sow the wind it is rational to expect that they will reap the...

When men sow the wind it is rational to expect that they will reap the...

What to the Slave is the 4th of July.

What to the Slave is the 4th of July.