Frederick Douglass Quotes

... within every form of oppression lies the seeds of liberation.

The slave power dares anything, and it can be conquered only by the united masses of the people. From Congress to the people, I appeal.

To this wonderful page in our country's history another more glorious still will be added, and the slave shall show at last to his free brothers a sharpened sword forged from the links of his fetters.

I am not an anti to anything which will bring freedom to my class.

The work does not end with the abolition of slavery but only begins.

This is not a jungle war, but a struggle for freedom on every front of human activity.

The hope of remaking the world is indispensable in the struggle of oppressed men and women.

Who but shall learn that freedom is the prize Man still is bound to rescue or maintain; That nature's God commands the slave to rise, And on the oppressor's head to break the chain. Roll, years of promise, rapidly roll round, Till not a slave shall on this earth by found.

Liberty, in its last analysis, is but the sweat of the poor and the blood of the brave.

It is only the oppressed who, by freeing themselves, can free their oppressors.

Each time we arrive at a new level in extricating ourselves from economic, social, spiritual domination, we have a moment when we dance in the world of these new experiences, only to find that the music soon stops, the dance ends, and we're struggling once again to save ourselves from being thrown back into those conditions.

We're not trying to take power away or rule anybody - we're just trying to get up from under the rulers.

Freedom is a hard-bought thing and millions are in chains, but they strain toward the new day drawing near.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.

Insurrection by means of guerrilla bands is the true method of warfare for all nations desirous of emancipating themselves from a foreign yoke. It is invincible, indestructible.

Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself.

We gain freedom when we have paid the full price.

The road to freedom has always been stalked by death.

Radicalism is a label that is always applied to people who are endeavoring to get freedom.

We must free the slaves or be ourselves subdued.

I live in the United States, but I do not know exactly where. My address is wherever there is a fight against oppression. My address is like my shoes; it travels with me. I abide where there is a fight against wrong.

No doubt it is also necessary to improve the classes who now oppress you, but you will never succeed in doing this unless you begin by improving yourselves.

The hour of emancipation is advancing in the march of time. It will come, and whether brought on by generous energy of our own minds or by the bloody process of St. Domingo... is a leaf of our history not yet turned over.

There is no easy walk to freedom.

You don't just end up with freedom when you have the vote. The struggle continues.