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Frederick Douglass

What Frederick Douglass thinks about agency

@frederick-douglass · 61 positions · On ppll ↗

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.

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Only Frederick Douglass on agency. See everyone on agency

5 dated positions, c. 1845 to c. 1881, in their own words. Our reading of what Frederick Douglass has said — not written or endorsed by them.

  1. Our readingEfforts to suppress agitation only make it stronger

    Their wordsEvery effort made to put down agitation only served to impart to it new strength and vigor.

    ↗Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881)gutenberg.org All 17 from this book

  3. Our readingThe arm of the enslaved was the best defense against the slaveholder

    Their wordsOnly a moderate share of sagacity was needed to see that the arm of the slave was the best defense against the arm of the slaveholder.

    ↗Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881)gutenberg.org All 17 from this book

  5. Our readingSlaves who praise their masters suppress the truth to avoid the consequences

    Their wordsThey suppress the truth rather than take the consequences of telling it, and in so doing prove themselves a part of the human family.

    ↗Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book

  7. Our readingTreating a person as a brute requires training in irresponsible power

    Their wordsShe at first lacked the depravity indispensable to shutting me up in mental darkness. It was at least necessary for her to have some training in the exercise of irresponsible power, to make her equal to the task of treating me as though I were a brute.

    ↗Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book

  9. Our readingOpen declarations about the underground railroad help masters more than slaves

    Their wordsThey do nothing towards enlightening the slave, whilst they do much towards enlightening the master. They stimulate him to greater watchfulness, and enhance his power to capture his slave.

    ↗Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845)gutenberg.org All 18 from this book