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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Book by Frederick Douglass · 12 quotes · Aids, Departed, Moral

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Quotes

“From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise.”

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Book:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
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“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”

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Book:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
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“It was a glorious resurrection, from the tomb of slavery, to the heaven of slavery. My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place; and I now resolved that, however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed forever when I could be a slave in fact.”

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Book:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
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“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.”

FearMy OwnMoralAtheismSelf EsteemAcceptanceIntegrityRespectAwakeningRageBeing TrueJournalismSelf RespectLove YourselfRidiculeHazardsRespect YourselfHonesty IntegrityHonesty And IntegrityAbhorrenceAcceptance Of OthersTrue To MyselfHonest And IntegrityFalsenessLove AcceptanceIncurringWomen Self RespectSelf Respect And DignityI Respect MyselfMoral Hazard
Book:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
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“These dear souls came not to Sabbath school because it was popular to do so, nor did I teach them because it was reputable to be thus engaged. Every moment they spent in that school, they were liable to be taken up, and given thirty-nine lashes. They came because they wished to learn. Their minds had been starved by their cruel masters. They had been shut up in mental darkness. I taught them, because it was the delight of my soul to be doing something that looked like the bettering the condition of my race”

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Book:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
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“I have often been utterly astonished, since I came to the north, to find persons who could speak of the singing, among slaves, as evidence of their contentment and happiness. It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake. Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrow of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears. At least, such is my experience.”

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Book:Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
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