Political Quotes

Frederick Douglass: They have, however, come not at the command of reason and persuasion, but by the sharp and terrible edge of the sword.

On the recordJanuary 1, 1881
They have, however, come not at the command of reason and persuasion, but by the sharp and terrible edge of the sword.
Said by
Frederick Douglass

Editor's note · Context

Douglass observes that historically, concessions to liberty have typically been won through violence rather than reason.

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