# Quote — Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

> I look upon my departure from Colonel Lloyd's plantation as one of the most interesting events of my life. It is possible, and even quite probable, that but for the mere circumstance of being removed from that plantation to Baltimore, I should have to-day, instead of being here seated by my own table, in the enjoyment of freedom and the happiness of home, writing this Narrative, been confined in the galling chains of slavery. Going to live at Baltimore laid the foundation, and opened the gateway, to all my subsequent prosperity. I have ever regarded it as the first plain manifestation of that kind providence which has ever since attended me, and marked my life with so many favors. I regarded the selection of myself as being somewhat remarkable. There were a number of slave children that might have been sent from the plantation to Baltimore. There were those younger, those older, and those of the same age. I was chosen from among them all, and was the first, last, and only choice.
>
> I may be deemed superstitious, and even egotistical, in regarding this event as a special interposition of divine Providence in my favor. But I should be false to the earliest sentiments of my soul, if I suppressed the opinion. I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur my own abhorrence. From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise.

- Author: [Frederick Douglass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederick-douglass.md)
- Book: [Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederick-douglass/narrative-of-the-life-of-frederick-douglass-an-american-slave.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass#Narrative_of_the_Life_of_Frederick_Douglass,_An_American_Slave_(1845)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederick-douglass/narrative-of-the-life-of-frederick-douglass-an-american-slave/i-look-upon

## More from this book

> I was broken in body, soul and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederick-douglass/narrative-of-the-life-of-frederick-douglass-an-american-slave/i-was-broken.md)

> Let us render the tyrant no aid; let us not hold the light by which he can trace the footprints of our flying brother.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederick-douglass/narrative-of-the-life-of-frederick-douglass-an-american-slave/let-us-render.md)

> I have often been utterly astonished, since I came to the north, to find persons who could speak of the singing, among slaves, as evidence of their contentment and happiness. It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake. Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears. At least, such is my experience. I have often sung to drown my sorrow, but seldom to express my happiness. Crying for joy, and singing for joy, were alike uncommon to me while in the jaws of slavery. The singing of a man cast away upon a desolate island might be as appropriately considered as evidence of contentment and happiness, as the singing of a slave; the songs of the one and of the other are prompted by the same emotion.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederick-douglass/narrative-of-the-life-of-frederick-douglass-an-american-slave/i-have-often.md)