Harriet Jacobs Quotes

36 Sourced Quotes

No pen can give an adequate description of the all-pervading corruption produced by slavery.

Harriet Jacobs
There is a great difference between Christianity and religion at the south. If a man goes to the communion table, and pays money into the treasury of the church, no matter if it be the price of blood, he is called religious.

Harriet Jacobs
The war of my life had begun; and though one of God's most powerless creatures, I resolved never to be conquered.

Harriet Jacobs
For years, my master had done his utmost to pollute my mind with foul images, and to destroy the pure principles inculcated by my grandmother, and the good mistress of my childhood

Harriet Jacobs
Dr. Flint had sworn that he would make me suffer, to my last day, for this new crime against him, as he called it; and as long as he had me in his power he kept his word

Harriet Jacobs
Notwithstanding my grandmother's long and faithful service to her owners, not one of her children escaped the auction block. These God-breathing machines are no more, in the sight of their masters, than the cotton they plant, or the horses they tend.

Harriet Jacobs
When I was nearly twelve years old, my kind mistress sickened and died.

Harriet Jacobs
Southern women often marry a man knowing that he is the father of many little slaves. They do not trouble themselves about it.

Harriet Jacobs
Friend! It is a common word, often lightly used. Like other good and beautiful things, it may be tarnished by careless handling.

Harriet Jacobs
Always it gave me a pang that my children had no lawful claim to a name.

Harriet Jacobs
If a slave is unwilling to go with his new master, he is whipped, or locked up in jail, until he consents to go, and promises not to run away during the year.

Harriet Jacobs