James Russell Lowell Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"True freedom is to share
All the chains our brothers wear
And, with heart and hand, to be
Earnest to make others free."

by:	James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American author and diplomatist
Source:	Stanzas on Freedom, 1843
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Categories:	Equality, Freedom, Liberty, Oppression, Perseverance, Preservation, Responsibility, Slavery
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Reader comments about this quote:

I believe that this quote will stay true forever. -- Rachael, Hanoverton
-- Anonymous
-- Anonymous , Good place
what does it mean? what does the entire poem mean? i need an interpretation! -- Hannah, Quebec
INTERPRETATION PLEASE!!!!!!! -- Maddie, California
to help others out by doing that youre actually helping yourself thats wut it means -- Anonymous
If an injustice is done to one, it is done to all. When the individual sovereign offers charity from the heart, not coerced, all benefit. This really fits those individuals I've met while giving aid in disaster relief efforts, those patriots I've met in the courts fighting unconstitutional injustice and, police beating people for no reason. -- Mike, Norwalk
to be free of the Big Self is what I guess is what you are saying Mike. Only a three because of lack of clarity like most poetry. Those who want interpretation beware of who you pick to interpret. -- Waffler, Smith
He is speaking of the american abolition of slavery movement. The sharing of chains is not literal but speaks to empathy. The last line is an appeal to not only support the movement ideologically but to act against slavery. Five stars for saying so much with such economy of words. Hopefully we can abolish slavery in America before this poem is 200 years old, though we are currently heading in the wrong direction. -- Justin, Elkland
Defending the rights of your brethren is tantamount to defending rights in general and it keeps us all a little safer from tyranny. -- J Carlton, Calgary
A good-sized gun helps too. -- Bob, Eugene OR
Waffler, you should take your own advice. -- Anon
Right you are Bob. -- J Carlton, Calgary
Amazing quotes he has (; -- Carly Shay, midland
Don't accept privileges at the cost of other's freedom. Don't be seduced by the mob. Don't spit at Jews in Germany for fear the Gestapo will suspect you of being pro-Israel. Don't accuse land-owners and bankers for fear the Soviets will send you to the Gulag. Don't cheer when you get health benefits and student loans and cheap mortgages, by denigrating loan companies, picketing outside the family homes of bankers, and closing newspapers and radio broadcasts. Don't kick a man when he's down, even when it's to your benefit; help him up, even if you suffer in the process. -- Tashriq al-Milla, Greeley
I kike this porm my Daughter and I would like to do this in a videl that would be great for the world. -- Georgia Hudson, Little Rock Arkansas

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