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
Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Freedom requires struggle and effort, and those who oppose agitation are hypocritical in their desire for freedom.
In this quote, Frederick Douglass argues that true freedom cannot be achieved without confronting the struggles and challenges that accompany social change. He suggests that individuals who express support for freedom while simultaneously criticizing the necessary agitation and activism are essentially advocating for an incomplete and superficial form of freedom, similar to wanting a bountiful harvest without the effort of preparing the soil.
Themes
FreedomAgitationStruggleHypocrisyChange
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about social justice and the importance of activism.
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
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