It was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read.

This war, disguise it as they may, is virtually nothing more or less than perpetual slavery against universal freedoms.

Some know the value of education by having it. I know it's value by not having it.

A man without force, is without the essential dignity of humanity. Human nature is so constituted, that it cannot honor a helpless man, although it can pity him.

He who would be free must strike the first blow.

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.

If we ever get free from all the oppressions and wrongs heaped upon us, we must pay for their removal. We must do this by labor, by suffering, by sacrifice, and, if needs be, by our lives, and the lives of others.