Frederick Douglass quotes

Frederick Douglass was an African American social reformer, abolitionist, and writer. One of the most prominent figures in the fight against slavery, he became an influential speaker and author. He dedicated his life to advocating for equality, justice, and civil rights for all people. Here are 276 of his quotes:

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

Frederick Douglass

No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.

Frederick Douglass

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.

Frederick Douglass

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

I am a Republican, a black, dyed in the wool Republican, and I never intend to belong to any other party than the party of freedom and progress.

Frederick Douglass

Without a struggle, there can be no progress.

Frederick Douglass

To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.

Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

I would unite with anybody to do right; and with nobody to do wrong.

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

Right is of no Sex-Truth is of no Color-God is the Father of us all, and we are all Brethren.

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

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

Frederick Douglass

We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support the gospel, and babes sold to purchase Bibles for the poor heathen! all for the glory of God and the good of souls! The slave auctioneer's bell and the church-going bell chime in with each other, and the bitter cries of the heart-broken slave are drowned in the religious shouts of his pious master. Revivals of religion and revivals in the slave-trade go hand in hand.

Frederick Douglass

I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!

Frederick Douglass

The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation's history - the very ring-bolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny. Pride and patriotism, not less than gratitude, prompt you to celebrate and to hold it in perpetual remembrance. I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation's destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost.

Frederick Douglass

To make a contented slave it is necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken the moral and mental vision and, as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason.

Frederick Douglass