Susan B. Anthony

Women's suffrage leader

Modern influential 78 sayings

Sayings by Susan B. Anthony

I think the best way to prove that the world can be run without men is to run it without men.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, often cited in feminist circles, exact origin debated.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself.

1870s-1880s — Speech or article, exact date and location not always specified.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

No man is good enough to govern any woman without her consent.

1880s — Speech or article, widely cited.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not.

1873 — Speech on 'Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.

1870s-1880s — Speech, widely quoted.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about any social reform.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, often quoted.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Failure is impossible.

1906 — Her final public words, spoken at her 86th birthday celebration.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I have been and am a Unitarian. I believe in the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and the sisterhood of woman.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, often cited regarding her religious views.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The religious bigotry of public opinion is the one obstacle to woman's equality.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Independence is happiness.

Late 19th Century — Letter or personal writing, widely cited.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I would rather have my right hand cut off than ask the ballot for the black man and not for woman.

1860s — Attributed, reflecting her controversial stance on universal suffrage during Reconstruction.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We shall someday be in the majority, and then we shall govern.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have been a rebel all my life.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To think, I have had more than 60 years of hard struggle for a little liberty, and then to die without it seems hard.

1906 — Spoken shortly before her death.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Our job is not to make the world safe for democracy, but to make democracy safe for the world.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, though sometimes paraphrased.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people—women as well as men.

1873 — Speech on 'Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Resolved, that the women of this nation in 1876, have greater cause for discontent, rebellion and revolution than had the men of 1776.

1876 — Declaration of Rights for Women, presented at the Centennial Exposition.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The day may be approaching when the whole world will recognize woman as the equal of man.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I appeal to the women of the United States, in this 100th year of our national existence, to make the Declaration of Independence a living reality for all.

1876 — Declaration of Rights for Women, presented at the Centennial Exposition.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect law makers.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed