I cannot surrender my principles, though the whole world besides should vote them down - I can make no compromise between truth and error, even though my life be the alternative.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
The cry of the oppressed has entered not only into my ears, but into my soul, so that while I live, I cannot hold my peace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the moral responsibility to speak out against oppression and injustice.
Elijah Parish Lovejoy’s quote reflects the deep emotional impact that the suffering of the oppressed has on an individual. It highlights the idea that once one becomes aware of injustice and hears the cries of those who suffer, it is impossible to remain silent or indifferent; the call for justice resonates within the soul, urging action and advocacy for those in need.
Themes
OppressionSilenceInjusticeSoulPeace
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for human rights.
More from Elijah Parish Lovejoy
All quotes →Abolitionists believe that, as all men are born free, so all who are now held as slaves in this country were born free, and that they are slaves now is the sin, not of those who introduced the race into this country, but of those, and those alone, who now hold them and have held them in slavery from their birth.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
The very flag of freedom that waves over our heads is formed from material cultivated by slaves, on soil moistened with their blood drawn from them by the whip of a republican taskmaster!
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
It is not possible that one man can convert another into a piece of property, thus at once annihilating all his personal rights, without the most flagrant injustice and usurpation.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery, and by the blessing of God, I will never go back.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
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