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
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Suppressing free speech harms both the speaker and the audience.
This quote by Frederick Douglass emphasizes the fundamental importance of free speech as a right that benefits society as a whole. Suppression not only silences the speaker's voice but also robs the listeners of the opportunity to hear diverse opinions and ideas, which is essential for a healthy democracy and individual thought.
Themes
Free SpeechRightsCommunicationDemocracyExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on campus, I quoted Douglass to emphasize the necessity of protecting all rights of expression.
More from Frederick Douglass
All quotes βWe may explain success mainly by one word and that word is WORK! WORK!! WORK!!! WORK!!!!
Frederick DouglassRead
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.
Frederick DouglassRead
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.
Frederick DouglassRead
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.
Frederick DouglassRead
A great man, tender of heart, strong of nerve, boundless patience and broadest sympathy, with no motive apart from his country.
Frederick DouglassRead
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He felt as though his heart were a bomb, a complicated bomb that would result in a simple explosion, wrecking the world without rocking it.
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To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.
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