On poverty and its impact:
* "The children of the poor have no chance. They are born into a life of drudgery, and they never know anything else. They are doomed to a life of poverty, and they will never be able to escape."
* "The poor are always with us, and they will always be with us. But we can make their lives a little bit better."
* "The slums are a breeding ground for crime and disease. They are a danger to the entire city."
On the conditions of tenements:
* "The air in the tenements is thick with the stench of poverty and decay. The walls are crumbling, the floors are dirty, and the windows are broken. The only light comes from the street lamps outside."
* "The tenements are overcrowded, with families living in tiny, cramped spaces. There is no privacy, and there is no escape from the noise and the smell."
* "The children of the tenements have no place to play, and no place to escape from the grime and the squalor of their surroundings."
On the need for change:
* "We must do something to help the poor. We must improve their living conditions, and we must give them a chance to escape from poverty."
* "The slums are a disgrace to our city, and they are a threat to our society. We must tear them down and rebuild them."
* "We must not forget the poor, and we must not allow them to be forgotten."
On the responsibility of the wealthy:
* "The rich have a responsibility to help the poor. They are the ones who have the resources to make a difference."
* "The wealthy must not turn a blind eye to the plight of the poor. They must use their wealth to improve the lives of those less fortunate."
* "We must all work together to create a more just and equitable society."
On the power of photography:
* "The camera is a powerful tool. It can be used to expose the truth about the world, and it can be used to bring about change."
* "The photographs in this book are not just pictures. They are a cry for help. They are a plea for action."
* "I hope these photographs will open your eyes to the plight of the poor, and I hope they will inspire you to make a difference."
These quotes highlight the themes of poverty, squalor, and the need for social change that Jacob Riis focused on in his book. They also demonstrate his belief in the power of photography to raise awareness and inspire action.