Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears.
Frederick DouglassRead
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.
Interpretation
The quote argues that the Constitution does not support slavery and can exist without it.
Frederick Douglass emphasizes that the Constitution was designed in such a way that it does not endorse slavery. He likens slavery to scaffolding, necessary during construction, but ultimately intended to be removed once the true structure of justice and equality is built. The implication is that the abolition of slavery is not only permissible but should have always been the end goal of the constitutional framework.
In practice
During a discussion on civil rights, this quote can illustrate the foundational principles of the Constitution.
Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears.
We may explain success mainly by one word and that word is WORK! WORK!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!
I do not think much of the good luck theory of self-made men. It is worth but little attention and has no practical value.
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
The Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. Read its preamble, consider it purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? it is neither.
Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.
What is there unreasonable in admitting the intervention of a supernatural power in the most ordinary circumstances of life?
It's clearly more important to treat one's fellow man well than to be always praying and fasting and touching one's head to a prayer mat.
My dreams are a stupid refuge, like an umbrella against a thunderbolt.
Ethics is in its unqualified form extended responsibility with regard to everything that has life.
It may seem bizarre, but in my opinion science offers a surer path to God than religion.
Our choice is not between war and peace but between life with dignity or without
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