Harriet Jacobs Quotes

36 Sourced Quotes

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