Harriet Tubman Quotes About Freedom, Courage, and Faith

Harriet Tubman quotes are filled with courage, hope, and determination. Harriet Tubman is remembered as one of America’s greatest heroes for helping lead enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Her words continue to inspire us to be brave, stand up for what is right, and keep going even when the road is hard. These meaningful Harriet Tubman quotes are wonderful for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, school projects, classroom discussions, speeches, and daily encouragement.

If you enjoy learning about inspiring people in history, you might also like these Maya Angelou quotes or inspirational quotes for more meaningful words to share.

Who Was Harriet Tubman?

Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in Maryland and escaped slavery in 1849. After gaining her own freedom, she bravely returned to the South many times to help other enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad.

She became one of the most famous abolitionists in American history and is often called the “Moses of her people” because she led so many people to freedom. During the Civil War, Tubman also served as a nurse, scout, spy, and guide for the Union Army.

Her life is a powerful example of courage, faith, and perseverance. These famous Harriet Tubman quotes remind us why her legacy still matters today.

Famous Harriet Tubman Quotes

“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say. I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”

“I had reasoned this out in my mind. There was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death. If I could not have one, I would have the other.”

“When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. The sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven.”

“Slavery is the next thing to hell.”

“I said to the Lord, I’m going to hold steady on to you, and I know you will see me through.”

“’Twasn’t me, ’twas the Lord. I always told Him, I trust to you. I don’t know where to go or what to do, but I expect you to lead me, and He always did.”

Harriet Tubman Quotes About Freedom

“I was free, but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.”

“I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.”

“Now I’ve been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is.”

“We would rather stay in our native land, if we could be as free there as we are here.”

“If a person would send another into bondage, he would, it appears to me, be bad enough to send him into hell if he could.”

dont ever stop keep going Harriet Tubman quote

Harriet Tubman Quotes About Courage

“Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

“And I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight, and that’s what I’ve always prayed for ever since.”

“Never wound a snake; kill it.”

“I have heard their groans and sighs, and seen their tears, and I would give every drop of blood in my veins to free them.”

“Every time I saw a white man I was afraid of being carried away.”

Harriet Tubman Quotes About Faith

“God’s time is always near. He set the North Star in the heavens. He gave me the strength in my limbs. He meant I should be free.”

“The Lord who told me to take care of my people meant me to do it just as long as I live, and so I did what He told me.”

“I am at peace with God and all mankind.”

“I think there’s many a slaveholder that’ll get to Heaven. They don’t know better. They acts up to the light they have.”

Short Harriet Tubman Quotes

“We’re rooted here, and they can’t pull us up.”

“I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person.”

“He meant I should be free.”

“God’s time is always near.”

“I am at peace with God and all mankind.”

Harriet Tubman Quotes for Students

These Harriet Tubman quotes for students are helpful for Black History Month reports, Women’s History Month lessons, classroom discussions, essays, and speeches about courage, freedom, and perseverance.

“I grew up like a neglected weed, ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it.”

“I never had anything good, no sweet, no sugar; and that sugar, right by me, did look so nice.”

“We saw the lightning, and that was the guns, and then we heard the thunder and that was the big guns; and then we heard the rain falling, and that was the blood falling.”

“I knew of a man who was sent to the State Prison for twenty-five years. All these years he was always thinking of his home, and counting by years, months, and days, the time till he should be free, and see his family and friends once more.”

“Pears like my heart go flutter, flutter, and then they may say, ‘Peace, Peace,’ as much as they likes. I know it’s goin’ to be war!”

More Quotes For Any Occasion

I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.