Quote

[John Brown's] zeal in the cause of freedom was infinitely superior to mine. Mine was as the taper light, his was as the burning sun... I could speak for the slave. John Brown could fight for the slave.

Frederick Douglass

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Frederick Douglass
Age: 77 †
Born: 1818
Born: February 14
Died: 1895
Died: February 20
Abolitionist
Autobiographer
Businessperson
Caulker
Diplomat
Editor
Film Editor
Journalist
Orator
Politician
Suffragist
Writer
Talbot County
Maryland
Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey
Frederick Augustus Washington Baly
Fred Bailey
Freddie Bailey
Causes
Slave
Superior
Government
Dies
Mines
Superiors
May
Freedom
Mine
Brown
People
Force
Sun
Burning
War
Cause
John
Taper
Speak
Events
Logic
Inexorable
Fight
Slavery
Zeal
Ends
Land
Refuse
Infinitely
Light

More quotes by Frederick Douglass

Image
The man who will get up will be helped up and the man who will not get up will be allowed to stay down.
Frederick Douglass
Image
Mr. Lincoln was not only a great President, but a great man - too great to be small in anything. In his company I was never in any way reminded of my humble origin, or of my unpopular color.
Frederick Douglass
Image
We succeed, not alone by the laborious exertions of our faculties, be they small or great, but by the regular, thoughtful and systematic exercise of them.
Frederick Douglass
Image
I assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the South is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes—a justifier of the most appalling barbarity…a shelter under…which the darkest, foulest, grossest, and most infernal deeds of slaveholders find the strongest protection
Frederick Douglass
Image
Intelligence is a great leveler here as elsewhere
Frederick Douglass
Image
In life you don't get everything you pay for, but you must pay for everything you get.
Frederick Douglass
Image
We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and the future.
Frederick Douglass
Image
The simplest truths often meet the sternest resistance and are slowest in getting general acceptance.
Frederick Douglass
Image
Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
Frederick Douglass
Image
The soul that is within me no man can degrade.
Frederick Douglass
Image
... and in thinking of my life, I almost forgot my liberty.
Frederick Douglass
Image
Shields Green was not one to shrink from hardships or dangers. He was a man of few words, and his speech was singularly broken but his courage and self-respect made him quite a dignified character.
Frederick Douglass
Image
Every one of us should be ashamed to be free while his brother is a slave.
Frederick Douglass
Image
Beat and cuff your slave, keep him hungry and spiritless, and he will follow the chain of his master like a dog. Feed and clothe him well, work him moderately, surround him with physical comfort and dreams of freedom intrude.
Frederick Douglass
Image
Fortune may crowd a man's life with fortunate circumstances and happy opportunities, but they will, as we all know, avail him nothing unless he makes a wise and vigorous use of them.
Frederick Douglass
Image
These were choice documents to me... They gave tongue to interesting thoughts of my own soul, which had frequently flashed through my mind, and died away for want of utterance.
Frederick Douglass
Image
I know of no rights of race superior to the rights of humanity...
Frederick Douglass
Image
American labor rights activist, on activities of the National Farm Workers Association Human law may know no distinction among men in respect of rights, but human practice may.
Frederick Douglass
Image
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.
Frederick Douglass
Image
No man can be truly free whose liberty is dependent upon the thought, feeling and action of others, and who has himself no means in his own hands for guarding, protecting, defending and maintaining that liberty
Frederick Douglass