“It is a terrible but a glorious strife for a nation to struggle for liberty.”

— Ernestine Rose, Speech at the Thomas Paine Celebration (January 29, 1849)

About Ernestine Rose

1810 – 1892

Polish-born American suffragist and abolitionist, a leading advocate of women's rights.

“In proportion to power is responsibility.”

“Loyal means to be true to one's highest conviction.”

“It was a great mistake to say that God made man in his image.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”