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

Quote by Frederick Douglass

Topics: Frederick Douglass Quotes

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

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

What to the Slave is the 4th of July.

What to the Slave is the 4th of July.

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

I could, as a free man, look across the bay toward the Eastern Shore where...

I could, as a free man, look across the bay toward the Eastern Shore where...

The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose.

The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose.

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule...

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule...

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

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.

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,...

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...

Racial injustice, war, urban blight, and environmental rape have a common denominator in our exploitative...

Racial injustice, war, urban blight, and environmental rape have a common denominator in our exploitative...

Society may predict, but only I can determine my destiny.

Society may predict, but only I can determine my destiny.