30 Best John Brown Quotes From The American Abolitionist Leader
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John H. Brown was a revolutionary abolitionist leader who believed violence was the only resort to end slavery in the USA.
John Brown had a unique perspective towards his anti-slavery activities as he knew the poor bonded people would not gain freedom through sermons, speeches, petitions, and persuasion. Being dissatisfied with abolitionist pacifism, he tried a new method and led the anti-slavery volunteers during the Bleeding War crisis.
John Brown had also led the Harpers Ferry raid in October in Virginia in the hopes that it may start a slave liberation movement. He was also later tried in court at the John Brown v. Virginia case, and after his death in December 1859, he became a hero and icon in the nation.
His raid for bringing independence also made the Southerners fear him. This article has listed several inspiring words, and best John Brown quotes to let people see and understand more about his trial and actions.
For more relatable content, you may check out our other quotes Harriet Beecher Stowe, [Lucretia Mott].
John Brown Quotes On Slavery
American President Frederick Douglass did say that John Brown was the "greatest hero known to American fame" after his Harper Ferry raid. John Brown and his quotes about slavery are truly insightful as he had faced opposition in his day for waging a war against the slave system.
After a trial in November, the great man was hanged in December 1859 leaving behind his children and family.
1. "In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted, the design on my part to free the slaves."
- John Brown.
2. "There will be no peace in this land until slavery is done for."
- John Brown.
3. "Talk, is a national institution, but it does not help the slave."
- John Brown.
4.
"...Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion of its citizens upon another portion; the only conditions of which are perpetual imprisonment, and hopeless servitude or absolute extermination; in utter disregard and violation of those eternal and self-evident truths set forth in our Declaration of Independence."
- John Brown.
5. "I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection."
- John Brown.
6. "Here, before God, in the presence of these witnesses, from this time, I consecrate my life to the destruction of slavery!"
- John Brown.
John Brown Abolitionist Quotes
John Brown, otherwise noted as the leader of the Harpers Ferry rebellion, may be one of the most influential names in American history. He even met with philosophers like Henry David Thoreau, who supported him.
He was a hero as he fought against the state for a new, free system where everyone could say their opinions and let them be known without fear. His death in December 1859 may be called a turning point in America's history.
7. "I bring you one of the best and bravest persons on this continent — General Tubman as we call her."
- John Brown.
8. "I believe that to have interfered as I have done, as I have always freely admitted I have done in behalf of His despised poor, is no wrong, but right."
- John Brown.
9. "Caution, Sir! I am eternally tired of hearing that word caution. It is nothing but the word of cowardice!"
- John Brown.
10. "I have only a short time to live, only one death to die, and I will die fighting for this cause."
- John Brown.
11. "I acknowledge no master in human form."
- John Brown.
12. "I never had any design against the life of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason, or excite slaves to rebel, or make any general insurrection."
- John Brown.
13. "I never wanted to fight against the Union, but could not turn my back on Virginia."
- John Brown.
14. "I don't think the people of the slave states will ever consider the subject of slavery in its true light till some other argument is resorted to other than moral persuasion."
- John Brown.
15. "The intent and not the deed is in our power; and, therefore, who dares greatly does greatly."
- John Brown.
16. "...if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I submit..."
- John Brown.
John Brown Famous Quotes
Not many of us know that John Brown's last words were, "This is a beautiful country." He never encouraged open rebellion but was still hanged to death in December 1859 after his trial in November.
John Brown said that he was ready to be hanged for the noble cause of fighting slavery in USA. In his last speech, he spoke of the injustice in America and said that he was ready to die if it meant slaves would be freed.
17. "I...am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land can never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed, it might be done."
- John Brown.
18. "I am gaining in health slowly, and am quite cheerful in view of my approaching end — being fully persuaded that I am worth inconceivably more to hang than any other purpose."
- John Brown.
19. "Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities..."
- John Brown.
20."...never be unmindful of your own dignity."
- John Brown.
21. "These men are all talk; What is needed is action — action!"
- John Brown.
22. "Be mild with the mild, shrewd with the crafty, confiding to the honest, rough to the ruffian, and a thunderbolt to the liar."
- John Brown.
23. "I will answer anything I can with honor, but not about others."
- John Brown.
24. "I am worth inconceivably more to hang than for any other purpose."
- John Brown.
25. "I see a book kissed here which I suppose to be the Bible, or at least the New Testament. That teaches me that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them."
- John Brown.
26. "Tis mean for empty praise of wit to write, As fopplings grin to show their teeth are white."
- John Brown.
27. "...I respect the rights of the poorest and weakest of colored people, oppressed by the slave system, just as much as I do those of the most wealthy and powerful."
- John Brown.
28. "[Holiness] consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills."
- John Brown.
29. "I cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day."
- John Brown.
30. "Had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great... every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment."
- John Brown.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for John Brown quotes then why not take a look at John Jay quotes, or Human Rights quotes.
Main image credit: Heidi Besen / Shutterstock.com
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature.
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