11+ Elizabeth Keckley Quotes On Education, Slavery And Religion

Elizabeth Keckley was an African-American author, seamstress, and civil activist. She was born into slavery in 1818, but eventually bought her freedom and moved to Washington D.C. She wrote the autobiography Behind the Scenes: Or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House, which detailed her life as a slave and as the personal dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Elizabeth Keckley on education, slavery, religion.

None of us are perfect, for which reason we should heed the voice of charity when it whispers in our ears, "Do not magnify the imperfections of others. — Elizabeth Keckley

Friends are a recompense for all the woes of the darkest pages of life. — Elizabeth Keckley

Notwithstanding all the wrongs that slavery heaped upon me, I can bless it for one thing-youth's important lesson of self-reliance. — Elizabeth Keckley

Mr. Lincoln was generous by nature, and though his whole heart was in the war, he could not but respect the valor of those opposed to him. His soul was too great for the narrow, selfish views of partisanship. Brave by nature himself, he honored bravery in others, even his foes. — Elizabeth Keckley

When I heard the words, I felt as if the blood had been frozen in my veins, and that my lungs must collapse for the want of air. Mr. Lincoln shot! — Elizabeth Keckley

Free, free! what a glorious ring to the word. Free! the bitter heart-struggle was over. Free! the soul could go out to heaven and to God with no chains to clog its flight or pull it down. Free! the earth wore a brighter look, and the very stars seemed to sing with joy. Yes, free! free by the laws of man and the smile of God-and Heaven bless them who made me so! — Elizabeth Keckley

Poor dusky children of slavery, men and women of my own race-the transition from slavery to freedom was too sudden for you! The bright dreams were too rudely dispelled; you were not prepared for the new life that opened before you, and the great masses of the North learned to look upon your helplessness with indifference-learned to speak of you as an idle, dependent race. Reason should have prompted kinder thoughts. Charity is ever kind. — Elizabeth Keckley

Nobody has a right to whip me but my own master, and nobody shall do so if I can prevent it — Elizabeth Keckley

I was born a slave-was the child of slave parents-therefore I came upon the earth free in God-like thought, but fettered in action. — Elizabeth Keckley

We who are crushed to earth with heavy chains, who travel a weary, rugged, thorny road, groping through midnight darkness on earth, earn our right to enjoy the sunshine in the great hereafter. At the grave, at least, we should be permitted to lay our burdens down, that a new world, a world of brightness, may open to us. The light that is denied us here should grow into a flood of effulgence beyond the dark, mysterious shadows of death. — Elizabeth Keckley

For an act may be wrong judged purely by itself, but when the motive that prompted the act is understood, it is construed differently. I lay it down as an axiom, that only that is criminal in the sight of God where crime is meditated. — Elizabeth Keckley

Life Lessons by Elizabeth Keckley

1. Elizabeth Keckley's life story is a reminder that hard work and resilience can lead to success, no matter the odds.
2. Her story also shows that it is possible to create meaningful change and have a positive impact on society, even when faced with adversity.
3. Finally, her work demonstrates the importance of self-determination and self-reliance in achieving one's goals.