These were choice documents to me... They gave tongue to interesting thoughts of my own soul, which had frequently flashed through my mind, and died away for want of utterance.
Frederick DouglassThe law on the side of freedom is of great advantage only when there is power to make that law respected.
Frederick DouglassWhen a great truth once gets abroad in the world, no power on earth can imprison it, or prescribe its limits, or suppress it. It is bound to go on till it becomes the thought of the world.
Frederick DouglassWe have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and the future.
Frederick DouglassCivil war was not a mere strife for territory and dominion, but a contest of civilization against barbarism.
Frederick DouglassLet me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no progress.
Frederick Douglass