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
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and the balance between peaceful and armed resistance in securing one's rights.
Frederick Douglass highlights three essential means by which a person can protect and assert their rights: through voting (the ballot box), through participating in the legal system (the jury box), and through the possibility of armed defense (the cartridge box). This quote suggests a strong connection between civil duties and personal liberties, advocating for an active approach to defending one's rights in a comprehensive manner.
Themes
RightsBallotJuryCartridgeFreedomCivil
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of voting in a democracy.
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
To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.
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
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