Political Quotes

Frederick Douglass: The fear of punishment was the sole motive of any sort of industry with him.

On the recordJanuary 1, 1881
The fear of punishment was the sole motive of any sort of industry with him.
Said by
Frederick Douglass

Editor's note · Context

Douglass asserts that the only incentive for enslaved people to perform labor was the constant threat of physical punishment.

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