Every one of us should be ashamed to be free while his brother is a slave.

The destiny of the colored American ... is the destiny of America.

Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitude.

Everybody has asked the question, ... 'What shall we do with the Negro?' I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! You're doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, ... let them fall! I am not for tying or fastening them on the tree in any way, except by nature's plan, and if they will not stay there, let them fall. And if the Negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also.

Slaves were expected to sing as well as to work. A silent slave was not liked, either by masters or overseers.

You are not judged by the height you have risen, but from the depth you have climbed.

Abolish slavery tomorrow, and not a sentence or syllable of the Constitution need be altered. It was purposely so framed as to give no claim, no sanction to the claim, of property in man. If in its origin slavery had any relation to the government, it was only as the scaffolding to the magnificent structure, to be removed as soon as the building was completed.