Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens. We went into slavery with chains clanking about our wrists; we came out with the American ballot in our hands.

I would permit no man, no matter what his colour might be, to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.

The thing to do when one feels sure that he has said or done the right thing and is condemned, is to stand still and keep quiet. If he is right, time will show it.

I pity from the bottom of my heart any nation or body of people that is so unfortunate as to get entangled in the net of slavery.

There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up.

An inch of progress is worth more than a yard of complaint.

Great men cultivate love...only little men cherish a spirit of hatred