John Brown may refer to:
Here, before God, in the presence of these witnesses, from this time, I consecrate my life to the destruction of slavery!
Had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends. . . every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment.
I cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day.
I am yet too young to understand that God is any respecter of persons. I believe that to have interfered as I have done. . . in behalf of His despised poor, was not wrong, but right. Now, 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: so let it be done!
. . . what we need is action - action!
Whereas, 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.
No man, with a man's heart in him, gets far on his way without some bitter, soul-searching disappointment. - Happy he who is brave enough to push on another stage of the journey, and rest where there are "living springs of water, and three-score and ten palms. "
I will answer anything I can with honor, but not about others.
I want you to understand that I respect the rights of the poorest and weakest of colored people, oppressed [to deny others their rights or liberty] by the slave system, just as much as I do those of the most wealthy and powerful. That is the idea that has moved me, and that alone.
I think every family should have a dog; it is like having a perpetual baby; it is the plaything and crony of the whole house. It keeps them all young.
The United States is a place where the men govern, but the women rule.
The angels are ministering spirits; they are not governing spirits.
Tis mean for empty praise of wit to write, As fopplings grin to show their teeth are white.
The intent and not the deed Is in our power; and, therefore, who dares greatly Does greatly.
Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.
The same eye cannot both look up to heaven and down to earth.
These men are all talk; What is needed is action - action!
Now let us thank th' eternal power, convinced That Heaven but tries our virtue by affliction: That oft the cloud that wraps the present hour Serves but to brighten all our future days.
It is not a case we are treating; it is a living, palpitating, alas, too often suffering fellow creature.
I was shot down by a fifth ball, which struck me squarely in the face, and passed out.