The Slave

They set the slave free, striking off his chains...
Then he was as much of a slave as ever.

He was still chained to servility,
He was still manacled to indolence and sloth,
He was still bound by fear and superstition,
By ignorance, suspicion, and savagery...
His slavery was not in the chains,
But in himself....

They can only set free men free...
And there is no need of that:
Free men set themselves free.