I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it.

Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letter, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, there is no power on earth that can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship.

Slaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.

This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.

My great and exceeding joy over these stupendous achievements, especially over the abolition of slavery (which had been the deepest desire and the great labor of my life), was slightly tinged with a feeling of sadness.

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

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.