Martin Delany Quotes

• Our elevation must be the result of self-efforts and work of our own hands. No other human power can accomplish it. If we but determine it shall be so, it will be so.

  Martin Delany

  Work, Self, Hands

  110 Copy quote

• The rights of no oppressed people have ever yet been obtained by a voluntary act of justice on the part of the oppressors.

  Martin Delany

  Rights, People, Justice

  68 Copy quote

• Every people should be the originators of their own destiny, the projectors of their own schemes, and creators of the events that lead to their destiny -- the consummation of their own desires.

  Martin Delany

  Destiny, People, Desire

  58 Copy quote

• I am not in favor of caste, nor separation of the brotherhood of mankind, and would as willingly live among white men as Black, if I had equal possession and enjoyment of privileges, but I shall never be reconciled living among them subservient to their will.

  Martin Delany

  Men, White Man, Justice

  59 Copy quote

• Let us have an education, that shall practically develop our thinking faculties and manhood; and then, and only then, shall we be able to vie with our oppressors, go where we may . . .

  Martin Delany

  Thinking, May, Able

  57 Copy quote

• We must make an issue, create an event, and establish a national position for ourselves: and never may expect to be respected as men and women, until we have undertaken some fearless, bold, and adventurous deeds of daring . . .

  Martin Delany

  Men, Issues, Fearless

  45 Copy quote

• It is only in the mountains that I can fully appreciate my existence as a man in America, and my own native land

  Martin Delany

  Men, Land, America

  33 Copy quote

• The claims of no people, according to established policy and usage, are respected by any nation, until they are presented in a national capacity.

  Martin Delany

  People, Claims, Capacity

  26 Copy quote

• A serpent is a serpent, and none the less a viper, because it is nestled in the bosom of an honest-hearted man.

  Martin Delany

  Men, Vipers, Honest

  35 Copy quote

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