Jupiter Hammon quotes

Jupiter Hammon was a prominent African American poet and essayist, known for being the first published African American writer in the United States. Born into slavery in 1711, Hammon used his talent for writing to speak out against the institution of slavery and advocate for the rights of African Americans. His works often focused on themes of religion, freedom, and social justice. Today, Jupiter Hammon is celebrated as a pioneer in African American literature and his writings continue to inspire readers around the world. Learn more about this groundbreaking poet and activist by exploring his works and legacy.

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I suppose I have had more advantages and privileges than most of you, who are slaves have ever known, and I believe more than many white people have enjoyed, for which I desire to bless God, and pray that he may bless those who have given them to me.

- Jupiter Hammon

All the time spent idly, is spent wickedly, and is unfaithfulness to our masters.

- Jupiter Hammon

That liberty is a great thing we may know from our own feelings, and we may likewise judge so from the conduct of the white-people, in the late war.

- Jupiter Hammon

Now the Bible tells us that we are all by nature, sinners, that we are slaves to sin and Satan, and that unless we are converted, or born again, we must be miserable forever.

- Jupiter Hammon

When I was at Hartford in Connecticut, where I lived during the war, I published several pieces which were well received, not only by those of my own colour, but by a number of the white people, who thought they might do good among their servants.

- Jupiter Hammon

There are but two places where all go after death, white and black, rich and poor; those places are Heaven and Hell. Heaven is a place made for those, who are born again, and who love God, and it is a place where they will be happy for ever.

- Jupiter Hammon

It is very wicked for you not to take care of your masters goods, but how much worse is it to pilfer and steal from them, whenever you think you shall not be found out.

- Jupiter Hammon

You know that murder is wicked. If you saw your master kill a man, do you suppose this would be any excuse for you, if you should commit the same crime?

- Jupiter Hammon

If we should ever get to Heaven, we shall find nobody to reproach us for being black, or for being slaves.

- Jupiter Hammon

Those of you who can read I must beg you to read the Bible, and whenever you can get time, study the Bible, and if you can get no other time, spare some of your time from sleep, and learn what the mind and will of God is.

- Jupiter Hammon

It is our duty to be faithful, not with eye service as men pleasers.

- Jupiter Hammon

The next thing I would mention, and warn you against, is profaneness. This you know is forbidden by God.

- Jupiter Hammon

We cannot certainly, have any excuse either for taking any thing that belongs to our masters without their leave, or for being unfaithful in their business.

- Jupiter Hammon

If there was no Bible, it would be no matter whether you could read or not. Reading other books would do you no good.

- Jupiter Hammon

If a servant strives to please his master and studies and takes pains to do it, I believe there are but few masters who would use such a servant cruelly.

- Jupiter Hammon

Besides all this, if you are idle, and take to bad courses, you will hurt those of your brethren who are slaves, and do all in your power to prevent their being free.

- Jupiter Hammon

You have discovered so much kindness and good will to those you thought were oppressed, and had no helper, that I am sure you will not despise what I have wrote, if you judge it will be of any service to them.

- Jupiter Hammon

As we depend upon our masters, for what we eat and drink and wear, and for all our comfortable things in this world, we cannot be happy, unless we please them.

- Jupiter Hammon

We live so little time in this world that it is no matter how wretched and miserable we are, if it prepares us for heaven.

- Jupiter Hammon

Let all the time you can get be spent in trying to learn to read.

- Jupiter Hammon

Good servants frequently make good masters.

- Jupiter Hammon

The Bible is a revelation of the mind and will of God to men. Therein we may learn, what God is.

- Jupiter Hammon