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

Quote by Frederick Douglass

Topics: Frederick Douglass Quotes

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...

To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer...

To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer...

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...

In thinking of America, I sometimes find myself admiring her bright blue sky-her grand old...

In thinking of America, I sometimes find myself admiring her bright blue sky-her grand old...

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...

What to the Slave is the 4th of July.

What to the Slave is the 4th of July.

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.

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.

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.

A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth...

A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth...

Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact...

Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact...

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...

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 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...

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...

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

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

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 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...

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 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...