The work of woman is not to lessen the severity or the certainty of the penalty for the violation of the moral law, but to prevent this violation by the removal of the causes which lead to it.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
Here, in this very first paragraph of the Declaration, is the assertion of the natural right of all to the ballot; for how can 'the consent of the governed' be given if the right to vote be denied?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Susan B. Anthony emphasizes the fundamental importance of the right to vote as a natural right for all individuals.
In this quote, Susan B. Anthony argues that the legitimacy of any government is rooted in the consent of the governed, which can only be genuinely expressed through the right to vote. She highlights the contradiction in claiming that a government is representative while denying individuals their fundamental right to participate in the electoral process, thus advocating for universal suffrage as a cornerstone of democracy and justice.
Themes
VoteSuffrageDemocracyRightsEquality
In practice
Example use cases
Quoting this in a speech about voting rights to emphasize their importance.
More from Susan B. Anthony
All quotes →The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
I have given my life and all I am to it, and now I want my last act to be to give it all I have, to the last cent.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever.
Susan B. AnthonyRead
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