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
Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no progress.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Struggle is essential for progress and the advancement of liberty.
Frederick Douglass emphasizes that true progress in human liberty comes not easily but through earnest struggle and conflict. He argues that every concession made towards achieving freedom has resulted from intense efforts, highlighting that the process of struggle is what leads to meaningful change, as without struggle, progress is nonexistent.
Themes
StruggleProgressLibertyFreedomHuman Rights
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civil rights, one might emphasize, 'As Frederick Douglass once stated, without struggle, there is no progress to remind us that change requires effort.'
More from Frederick Douglass
All quotes →We 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
Similar quotes
I've always been an ironic dreamer, unfaithful to my inner promises. Like a complete outsider, a casual observer of whom I thought I was, I've always enjoyed watching my daydreams go down in defeat. I was never convinced of what I believed in. I filled my hands with sand, called it gold, and opened them up to let it slide through. Words were my only truth. When the right words were said, all was done; the rest was the sand that had always been.
Fernando PessoaRead
Try not to become a man of success, but a man of value. Look around at how people want to get more out of life than they put in. A man of value will give more than he receives. Be creative, but make sure that what you create is not a curse for mankind.
Albert EinsteinRead
We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.
H. L. MenckenRead
I feel like someone after a deluge being asked to describe the way it was before the flood while I'm still plucking seaweed out of my hair.
Norman RushRead
Eternal nothingness is fine if you happen to be dressed for it.
Woody AllenRead
Puddleglum's my name. But it doesn't matter if you forget it. I can always tell you again.
C. S. LewisRead