How grossly are they mistaken in imagining slavery to be disallowed by the Alcoran! Are not the two precepts, to quote no more, Masters treat your slaves with kindness: Slaves serve your masters with cheerfulness and fidelity, clear proofs to the contrary? Nor can the plundering of infidels be in that sacred book forbidden, since it is well known from it, that God has given the world and all that it contains to his faithful Mussulmen, who are to enjoy it of right as fast as they can conquer it. Let us then hear no more of this detestable proposition, the manumission of christian slaves, the adoption of which would, by depreciating our lands and houses, and thereby depriving so many good citizens of their properties, create universal discontent, and provoke insurrections, to the endangering of government, and producing general confusion. Benjamin Franklin
About This Quote

In the mid-17th century, the people of England began to notice that there were many black people living in their country. Like many other countries, these black people were servants and slaves. The British government did not like the idea of black people being able to live and own property like they could. So, they passed a law stating that all slaves had to be freed after 30 years of serving their master.

With this law, some English planters decided to free their slaves early. They wanted to get rid of the slaves so they wouldn’t have to pay for them anymore. The planters also figured that if their slaves were free, they would have more money to use towards buying more land for themselves.

It’s kind of like how parents will often give their children gifts on Christmas or birthdays knowing that they won’t really use it. Instead, the children will get the gifts and parents are happy because they are getting rid of things they don’t want or need anymore.

Some Similar Quotes
  1. You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know. - William Wilberforce
  2. We do not need to eat animals, wear animals, or use animals for entertainment purposes, and our only defense of these uses is our pleasure, amusement, and convenience. - Gary L. Francione
  3. Veganism is not a "sacrifice." It is a joy. - Gary L. Francione
  4. If you are not vegan, please consider going vegan. It’s a matter of nonviolence. Being vegan is your statement that you reject violence to other sentient beings, to yourself, and to the environment, on which all sentient beings depend. - Gary L. Francione
  5. Veganism is an act of nonviolent defiance. It is our statement that we reject the notion that animals are things and that we regard sentient nonhumans as moral persons with the fundamental moral right not to be treated as the property or resources of humans. - Gary L. Francione
More Quotes By Benjamin Franklin
  1. Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five.
  2. He that can have patience can have what he will.
  3. A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
  4. Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.
  5. Well done is better than well said.
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