Friends are a recompense for all the woes of the darkest pages of life.

- Elizabeth Keckley

I was born a slave-was the child of slave parents-therefore I came upon the earth free in God-like thought, but fettered in action.

- Elizabeth Keckley

When I heard the words, I felt as if the blood had been frozen in my veins, and that my lungs must collapse for the want of air. Mr. Lincoln shot!

- Elizabeth Keckley

Nobody has a right to whip me but my own master, and nobody shall do so if I can prevent it

- Elizabeth Keckley

Mr. Lincoln was generous by nature, and though his whole heart was in the war, he could not but respect the valor of those opposed to him. His soul w…

- Elizabeth Keckley

Free, free! what a glorious ring to the word. Free! the bitter heart-struggle was over. Free! the soul could go out to heaven and to God with no chai…

- Elizabeth Keckley

For an act may be wrong judged purely by itself, but when the motive that prompted the act is understood, it is construed differently. I lay it down …

- Elizabeth Keckley

Notwithstanding all the wrongs that slavery heaped upon me, I can bless it for one thing-youth's important lesson of self-reliance.

- Elizabeth Keckley

We who are crushed to earth with heavy chains, who travel a weary, rugged, thorny road, groping through midnight darkness on earth, earn our right to…

- Elizabeth Keckley