15 Motivational Richard Henry Dana Jr. Quotes That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity

Famous As: Lawyer

Born On: 1815

Died On: 1882

Born In: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Died At Age: 66

Richard Henry Dana Jr. was a famous American lawyer, author, and politician known for his advocacy of the poor and the oppressed seamen. He joined the Harvard College to pursue his bachelors but had to take a break as measles affected his eyesight. He traveled as a seaman for a couple of years to improve his eyesight. This voyage changed his perspective towards life and he became determined to help the oppressed seamen. He recorded his experiences in his first and most notable book titled ‘Two Years Before The Mast’ while studying maritime law at Harvard. He had a great sympathy for the sailors and started helping them legally. He gained recognition as a proponent of downtrodden, freedmen, slaves and seamen. He further helped the sailors by jotting down all their legal rights in a book titled ‘The Seaman’s Friend’. He also joined a movement to eradicate slavery and gained a reputation as a reliable revolutionary. He also served as an attorney of the United States and moved further to serve as a council member. We have excerpted some of the notable quotations and thoughts by the champion of downtrodden and seamen. Go through the compilation of sayings and quotes by Richard Henry Dana Jr. that will reinstitute your faith in compassion.

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Leaders

Lawyers & Judges

He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.

He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.
Never
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

The Californians are an idle, thriftless people, and can make nothing for themselves. The country abounds in grapes, yet they buy, at a great price, bad wine made in Boston...

The Californians are an idle, thriftless people, and can make nothing for themselves. The country abounds in grapes, yet they buy, at a great price, bad wine made in Boston...
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

There is not so helpless and pitiable an object in the world as a landsman beginning a sailor's life.

There is not so helpless and pitiable an object in the world as a landsman beginning a sailor's life.
Life
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

Monterey, as far as my observation goes, is decidedly the pleasantest and most civilized-looking place in California.

Monterey, as far as my observation goes, is decidedly the pleasantest and most civilized-looking place in California.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

Let him then have powers commensurate with his utmost possible need, only let him be held strictly responsible for the exercise of them. Any other course would be injustice as well as bad policy

Let him then have powers commensurate with his utmost possible need, only let him be held strictly responsible for the exercise of them. Any other course would be injustice as well as bad policy
Need
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

If California ever becomes a prosperous country, this bay will be the centre of its prosperity.

If California ever becomes a prosperous country, this bay will be the centre of its prosperity.
Will
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

The Californians are an idle, thriftless people, and can make nothing for themselves.

The Californians are an idle, thriftless people, and can make nothing for themselves.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

Work hard, live hard, die hard, and go to hell after all, would be hard indeed!

Work hard, live hard, die hard, and go to hell after all, would be hard indeed!
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

They seem to be a doomed people. The curse of a people calling themselves Christian, seems to follow them everywhere;

They seem to be a doomed people. The curse of a people calling themselves Christian, seems to follow them everywhere;
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

There is something in the clear blue warm sea of the tropics, which gives to the stranger a feeling of unreality.

There is something in the clear blue warm sea of the tropics, which gives to the stranger a feeling of unreality.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

As has often been said, a ship is like a lady's watch, always out of repair.

As has often been said, a ship is like a lady's watch, always out of repair.
Like
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

A sailor's liberty is but for a day; yet while it lasts it is perfect.

A sailor's liberty is but for a day; yet while it lasts it is perfect.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

There is no prettier sight in the world than a full-rigged, clipper-built brig, sailing sharp on the wind.

There is no prettier sight in the world than a full-rigged, clipper-built brig, sailing sharp on the wind.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

With all my imperfections on my head," I joined the crew, and we hauled out into the stream, and came to anchor for the night.
I
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

A well man at sea has little sympathy with one who is seasick; he is too apt to be conscious of a comparison favorable to his own manhood.

A well man at sea has little sympathy with one who is seasick; he is too apt to be conscious of a comparison favorable to his own manhood.
Richard Henry Dana, Jr.