“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
Quote
“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln expresses his deep disdain for slavery by suggesting that those who advocate for it should experience it firsthand. The statement highlights Lincoln’s profound moral opposition to slavery, positioning it as a brutal institution that dehumanizes both the enslaved and those who uphold it. By proposing that pro-slavery advocates should endure the conditions they defend, Lincoln underscores the hypocrisy of defending an institution that strips people of their basic humanity and freedoms. This comment also reflects Lincoln’s belief that the true nature of slavery—its cruelty and injustice—is only fully understood when it is experienced personally, making it impossible for anyone who has seen its effects to continue defending it with any integrity.
Historically, this quote ties directly to Lincoln’s moral commitment to abolishing slavery in the United States. During the 19th century, many defenders of slavery argued that it was a necessary evil or even a benevolent institution for Black people, a claim that Lincoln found utterly indefensible. This quote captures the moral outrage Lincoln felt toward such arguments, reflecting the widespread societal belief that slavery was inherently wrong, and that those who supported it were blinded by economic interests or racial prejudice. Lincoln’s advocacy for the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment was rooted in this conviction that slavery was a grave moral failing and needed to be abolished for the good of the nation.
In modern times, this quote resonates as a reminder of the moral costs of injustice and oppression. It challenges us to think critically about systems that exploit or dehumanize others, and urges us to consider how we might react if we were to personally experience the consequences of these systems. It also serves as a critique of those who rationalize or defend oppressive systems, suggesting that those who uphold injustice often fail to see its true harm. This quote can be applied to various forms of social inequality today, from racism and economic exploitation to discrimination based on gender, religion, or other factors. Lincoln’s words remind us of the importance of compassion, empathy, and moral clarity in the fight against systems of oppression.
