Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

by Frederick Douglass

"under what specious term it may disguise itself, slavery is still hideous.

far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs,

His presence made it both the field of blood and of blasphemy.

The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart;

They seemed to think that the greatness of their masters was transferable to themselves.

In learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master, as to the kindly aid of my mistress. I acknowledge the benefit of both.

assert most unhesitatingly, that the religion of the south is a mere covering for the most horrid crimes,—a

the best master I ever had, till I became my own master.

mean strictly to apply to the slaveholding religion

We see the thief preaching against theft, and the adulterer against adultery.