Blind Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“By the 'mud-sill' theory it is assumed that labor and education are incompatible; and any practical combination of them impossible. According to that theory, a blind horse upon a tread-mill, is a perfect illustration of what a laborer should be -- all the better for being blind, that he could not tread out of place, or kick understandingly. According to that theory, the education of laborers, is not only useless, but pernicious, and dangerous. In fact, it is, in some sort, deemed a misfortune that laborers should have heads at all.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1860 Republican Convention, 1860
The quote argues that labor and education cannot be combined, portraying educated workers as blind and dangerous.
In simple terms: Education harms workers, says the speaker.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of limiting workers' education.
Themes
education
labor
class
misinformation
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- industrial revolution
- workers' rights
- policy debates
- union organizing
Key Concepts
capitalism
social control
elitism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is education truly harmful to laborers?
- What benefits does education bring to workers?
A Different Perspective
The argument ignores evidence that education improves productivity and empowerment.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
