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
We throw to the winds the old dogma that governments can give rights. Before governments were organized, no one denies that each individual possessed the right to protect his own life, liberty and property.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that individual rights exist independently of government recognition or grants.
Susan B. Anthony argues that governments do not bestow rights upon individuals; instead, these rights are inherent to every person. The essence of liberty, life, and property is part of human existence that predates any governmental authority, highlighting the natural rights theory that emphasizes individual autonomy and self-protection.
Themes
RightsGovernmentIndividualLibertyProtection
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on civil liberties, I used this quote to stress the importance of individual rights.
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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