Power concedes nothing without a demand.

What it means

Those who hold power rarely give it up because it would be fair. Someone has to ask, and ask firmly. Make the demand.

The source

"Power concedes nothing without a demand." Frederick Douglass said it in West India Emancipation speech, Canandaigua, New York, 3 August 1857. Written in English: West India Emancipation, 1857.

"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."

Original English (West India Emancipation, 1857), West India Emancipation speech, Canandaigua, New York, 3 August 1857. Text read at en.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Frederick Douglass (c. 1818–1895). Learned to read in secret, escaped slavery and became the leading abolitionist voice of his age. He wrote the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845).

Questions

What does "Power concedes nothing without a demand." mean?

Those who hold power rarely give it up because it would be fair. Someone has to ask, and ask firmly. Make the demand.

Who said "Power concedes nothing without a demand."?

Frederick Douglass (c. 1818–1895). Source: West India Emancipation speech, Canandaigua, New York, 3 August 1857.

What is the original wording?

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will (Original English (West India Emancipation, 1857)). Written in English: West India Emancipation, 1857.

Is "Power concedes nothing without a demand." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Power concedes nothing without a demand." (Frederick Douglass, West India Emancipation speech, Canandaigua, New York, 3 August 1857, trans. Original English (West India Emancipation, 1857)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/power-concedes-nothing-without-a-demand