Political Quotes

Frederick Douglass: “In a free State, a master thus complaining without cause, might be told by his ostler: “Sir, I am sorry I cannot please…”

On the recordJanuary 1, 1881
In a free State, a master thus complaining without cause, might be told by his ostler: “Sir, I am sorry I cannot please you, but since I have done the best I can and fail to do so, your remedy is to dismiss me.” But here the ostler must listen and tremblingly abide his master’s behest.
Said by
Frederick Douglass

Editor's note · Context

In his autobiography, Douglass contrasts the agency of a free worker with the absolute powerlessness of an enslaved person under the master's arbitrary will.

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