Frederick Douglass
American abolitionist and writer (about 1817 to 1895); born into slavery, escaped in 1838 and became a principal leader and spokesperson of the abolition movement; author of three autobiographies.
Frederick Douglass did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
The line under a date shows how recently it was said: empty within a month, full after three years.
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Their wordsThis Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 1st of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsWhether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 2nd of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsBut, I submit, where all is plain there is nothing to be argued.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 3rd of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsFor the present, it is enough to affirm the equal manhood of the Negro race.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 4th of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsThere is not a man beneath the canopy of heaven that does not know that slavery is wrong for him.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 5th of 8 in this piece
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Our reading
Their wordsThat which is inhuman cannot be divine.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 6th of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsAt a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 7th of 8 in this piece
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Their wordsThere is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.
↗My Bondage and My Freedom (1855)gutenberg.org 8th of 8 in this piece
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