Susan B. Anthony

Women's suffrage leader

Modern influential 78 sayings

Sayings by Susan B. Anthony

I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote.

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

Oh, if I could but live another century and see the fruition of the work for women! I would ask for nothing more.

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

I have been out among the people on the platform and in their homes for the last fifty years; and the one thing I have learned is that the women of the country are ready for the ballot, and that they will have it.

Early 1900s — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The true republic—men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.

1868 — Motto of 'The Revolution' newspaper, which she co-founded.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I do not believe that the world has ever seen a truly great and happy nation, one which was at the same time both great and happy, where the women were not free.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Woman's cause is man's cause; we rise or fall together, dwarfed or godlike, bond or free.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have given my life and all I am to the cause. I am going to die, but I believe that I shall live again in the cause.

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

Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The ballot is the only safeguard of a free people.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is not the ballot that has made women free, but the freedom that has given women the ballot.

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

I got arrested for voting. I did not want to pay my fine. I said I will never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty.

Post-1872 — Recounting her arrest for voting in 1872.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The work of woman is to make the world better. The work of man is to make the world worse.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, reflecting a more provocative stance.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I tell you, there is no escape for us. We shall be taken up and carried to the end of the earth, and there we shall be given a hearing.

1870s — Attributed, perhaps in reference to the legal challenges she faced.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

She who does not feel the wrong of her position, has no right to demand that it shall be righted.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, often cited in discussions of self-awareness and activism.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The fact that I am a woman does not make me a criminal.

1873 — Implied in her defense during her trial for illegal voting.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not asking for any favors for my sex. I am asking for justice.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government — the ballot.

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

I have met no man who was not ready to be a woman, if I would only let him vote.

Late 19th Century — Attributed, often humorously.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We ask for no special favors, only for the same rights you enjoy.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The one word that describes my life is 'agitation'.

Late 19th Century — Attributed.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable