# Clotel

- Author: [William Wells Brown](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown.md)
- Quotes: 6
- Book page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel

## Quotes

> Despotism increases in severity with the number of despots; the responsibility is more divided, and the claims are more numerous. (Chapter XX)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel/despotism-increases-in-severity.md)

> sad to say, Jefferson is not the only American statesman who has spoken high-sounding words in favour of freedom, and then left his own children to die slaves. (Chapter XVII)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel/sad-to-say.md)

> Were it not for persons in high places owning slaves, and thereby giving the system a reputation, and especially professed Christians, Slavery would long since have been abolished. The influence of the great "honours the corruption, and chastisement doth therefore hide his head." The great aim of the true friends of the slave should be to lay bare the institution, so that the gaze of the world may be upon it, and cause the wise, the prudent, and the pious to withdraw their support from it, and leave it to its own fate. It does the cause of emancipation but little good to cry out in tones of execration against the traders, the kidnappers, the hireling overseers, and brutal drivers, so long as nothing is said to fasten the guilt on those who move in a higher circle. (from the Preface)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel/were-it-not.md)

> Known to God only is the amount of human agony and suffering which sends its cry from the slave markets and Negro pens, unheard and unheeded by man up to his ear; mothers weeping for their children, breaking the night-silence with the shrieks of their breaking hearts. (Chapter V)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel/known-to-god.md)

> The appearance of Clotel on the auction block created a deep sensation amongst the crowd. There she stood, with a complexion as white as most of those who were waiting with a wish to become her purchasers. (Chapter I)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel/the-appearance-of-clotel.md)

> With the growing population of slaves in the Southern States of America, there is a fearful increase of half whites, most of whose fathers are slaveowners and their mothers slaves. Society does not frown upon the man who sits with his mulatto child upon his knee, whilst its mother stands a slave behind his chair. (beginning of Chapter I)

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-wells-brown/clotel/with-the-growing.md)