Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
Sojourner TruthRead
Because of them I can now live the dream. I am the seed of the free, and I know it. I intend to bear great fruit.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the power of freedom and the potential for achieving one's dreams.
Sojourner Truth's quote reflects the journey from oppression to liberation and the assurance that, as a free individual, one can realize their aspirations. The metaphor of being a 'seed' suggests that just as a seed has the potential to grow into something significant, so too do individuals hold the potential for greatness, especially when underpinned by the freedom to pursue their dreams.
In practice
During a graduation speech to inspire students to pursue their dreams.
Religion without humanity is very poor human stuff.
That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman?
The rich rob the poor and the poor rob one another.
Good man! Genuine gentleman! God bless George Thompson, the great-hearted friend of my race.
And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?
When I left the house of bondage I left everything behind. I wasn't going to keep nothing of Egypt on me, an' so I went to the Lord an' asked him to give me a new name. And he gave me Sojourner because I was to travel up and down the land showing the people their sins and bein' a sign unto them. I told the Lord I wanted two names 'cause everybody else had two, and the Lord gave me Truth, because I was to declare the truth to the people.
I thought, if ever there were a time to write a book about hope, it's now.
Sports is the only entertainment where, no matter how many times you go back, you never know the ending.
You are not your mother, your father, your history, or your cultural influences. You are uniquely and originally you. Be bold and daring and fearless and unconventional. Be willing to use your voice in service to your soul. Go on. Rock that damn boat. The wave you create might just change the world.
What I will say is that what I have learned for myself is that I donβt have to be anybody else; and that myself is good enough; and that when I am being true to that self, then I can avail myself to extraordinary thingsYou have to allow for the impossible to be possible.
Have you not learned that strength comes to an ordinary soul when given an extraordinary calling?
Like every New Yorker, I know this place is magic. I know this place is amazing. I know that we have come back time and time again from a great recession, from high crime rates, from 9/11, from crisis after crisis.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.