John Woolman (1720–72) was a prominent American Quaker, abolitionist, and advocate for social justice. He is best known for his passionate opposition to slavery and his efforts to persuade others within the Quaker community to abandon the practice.
Born in Rancocas, Burlington County, New Jersey, Woolman was a tailor by trade. He became a Quaker in 1743 and dedicated his life to the principles of peace, equality, and simplicity, which were central to his Quaker faith.
Woolman’s most notable work is Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, published in two parts in 1754 and 1762. In these essays, he argued that slavery was incompatible with Christian teachings and human dignity. His autobiographical account, The Journal of John Woolman (1774,) provides insight into his spiritual journey, social activism, and travels throughout the American colonies and England. Considered a classic of American spiritual literature, it has been praised for its eloquence, humility, and profound moral vision. It was a favorite book of English essayist and poet Charles Lamb.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by John Woolman
Conduct is more convincing than language.
—John Woolman
Topics: Language
When men take pleasure in feeling their minds elevated with strong drink, and so indulge their appetite as to disorder their understandings, neglect their duty as members of a family or civil society, and cast off all regard to religion, their case is much to be pitied.
—John Woolman
Topics: Disorder
If a man successful in business expends a part of his income in things of no real use, while the poor employed by him pass through difficulties in getting the necessaries of life, this requires his serious attention.
—John Woolman
Topics: Wealth
Selfish men may possess the earth; it is the meek only who inherit it from the Heavenly Father, free from all defilements and perplexities of unrighteousness.
—John Woolman
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