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Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities…

“Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.” quote by William Jennings Bryan
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“Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.”

William Jennings Bryan

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Overemphasizing urban growth harms agriculture; preserving farms sustains society and prevents urban decay.

In simple terms: Cities grow, farms die; keep farms alive.

Key Takeaway

Protect farmland to sustain civilization.

Themes

urbanization agriculture environment economy sustainability

Mood

concern optimistic

Type

political environmental

When to use this quote

  • city planning
  • rural development
  • environmental policy
  • urban sprawl
  • agricultural preservation

Key Concepts

resource management land use food security

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can cities support nearby farms?
  • What policies protect farmland?
A Different Perspective

Urban focus can ignore rural needs, leading to imbalance.

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