Haitian - Leader | May 20, 1743 - April 7, 1803
I took up arms for the freedom of my color. It is our own - we will defend it or perish.
Toussaint Louverture
FreedomColorWillDefendUpOwn
It is not a liberty of circumstance, conceded to us alone, that we wish; it is the adoption absolute of the principle that no man, born red, black or white, can be the property of his fellow man.
AloneManRedBlackWishBorn
Avoid sloth, the mother of all vices!
MotherVicesSlothAvoid
We are free today because we are the stronger; we will be slaves again when the government becomes the stronger.
TodayGovernmentFreeStrongerWill
I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in Saint-Domingue. I work to bring them into existence. Unite yourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for the same cause.
WorkFightEqualityLibertyWant
I have published a proclamation: 'Forgive us our transgressions as we forgive those who transgress against us.' I have ordered all citizens to return to their parishes to enjoy the benefits of this general amnesty.
EnjoyReturnForgiveAgainstUsWho
This gun is liberty; hold for certain that the day when you no more have it, you will be returned to slavery.
DaySlaveryGunYouLibertyWill
They have in me struck down but the trunk of the tree; the roots are many and deep - they will shoot up again!
TreeMeRootsDeepDownWill
The Spanish offered me their protection, and liberty to those who would fight for the cause of the kings. I accepted their offers, seeing myself entirely abandoned by my brethren, the French.
MyselfFightMeKingsSeeingWould
I have taken my flight in the region of eagles; when I alight, it must be on a rock, and that rock must be a constitutional government, of which I shall be the head so long as I shall be among men.
MenGovernmentLongFlightRock
Citizens, not less generous than myself, let your most precious moments be employed in causing the past to be forgotten; let all my fellow-citizens swear never to recall the past; let them receive their misled brethren with open arms, and let them, in future, be on their guard against the traps of bad men.
FutureMyselfMenPastMomentsBad
I am faithfully devoted to the Republic but will not serve it at the expense of my conscience and my honor.
I AmHonorWillConscienceServeAm
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