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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that the level of injustice people endure reveals their limits and the moral failings of society.
Frederick Douglass's quote suggests that the extent to which individuals tolerate oppression and injustice reflects the severity of the wrongs they face and the moral decay of the society that imposes such conditions. It calls for awareness and action against complacency in the face of injustice, urging people to recognize their rights and demand change.
Themes
InjusticeOppressionSocietyMoralityActivism
In practice
Example use cases
During a social justice rally, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of recognizing and combating oppression.
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
A great man, tender of heart, strong of nerve, boundless patience and broadest sympathy, with no motive apart from his country.
Frederick DouglassRead
Similar quotes
If you don't like affirmative action, what is your plan to guarantee a level playing field of opportunity?
Maynard JacksonRead
I know that every trial requires fairness and truth. Any trial that abandons the pursuit of truth cannot be considered fair or just.
Kamala HarrisRead
The death penalty is an inhumane punishment that disproportionately violates the human rights of Black, brown, indigenous, and other marginalized people.
Cori BushRead
Power concedes nothing without a demand. The struggle for justice must never be adjourned. The forces of injustice do not take vacations.
Ralph NaderRead
Loyalty to the principles upon which our Government rests positively demands that the equality before the law which it guarantees to every citizen should be justly and in good faith conceded in all parts of the land.
Grover ClevelandRead
During the Jim Crow era, poll taxes and literacy tests kept the African-Americans from polls. But today, felon disenfranchisement laws accomplished what poll taxes and literacy tests ultimately could not, because those laws were struck down. But felony disenfranchisement laws had been allowed to stand.
Michelle AlexanderRead