Quote by Henry David Thoreau
Talk about slavery! It is not the peculiar institution of the South. It exists wherever men are bought and sold, wherever a man allows himself to be made a mere thing or a tool, and surrenders his inalienable rights of reason and conscience. Indeed, this slavery is more complete than that which enslaves the body alone... I never yet met with, or heard of, a judge who was not a slave of this kind, and so the finest and most unfailing weapon of injustice. He fetches a slightly higher price than the black men only because he is a more valuable slave.
Summary
This quote highlights the broad concept of slavery beyond the racial institution prevalent in the South during its time. It argues that slavery exists wherever individuals are bought and sold, and when someone allows themselves to be dehumanized and stripped of their innate rights of reason and conscience. The quote challenges the notion that slavery is solely confined to physical bondage, suggesting that there is another form of enslavement, exemplified by judges who, while not physically enslaved, act as instruments of injustice. It further suggests that this type of slavery is even more insidious and pervasive as it targets the mind and perpetuates systemic inequality.
Topics
Slavery
Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.
Random Quotations
