Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. He had a lot to say about the world around him, as well as the people occupying it. Drastic changes were happening in society and culture in his day which helped to thrust him into the role of a great leader. After escaping from slavery, he became a driving force of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and anti-slavery writing. I am going to share with you some of Frederick Douglass’ wit and wisdom on being a man and ultimately being swell.

• It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

• Man’s greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers to things needed to be done.

• Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground.

• A man’s character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him.

• A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me.

-Frederick Douglass

(images courtesy of wikipedia)

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