--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the absence of bars that makes a…" description: "\"It is the absence of bars that makes a beast free - but only the truth can make a man free.\" — Alan Keyes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg" --- # It is the absence of bars that makes a beast free - but… ![“It is the absence of bars that makes a beast free - but only the truth can make a man free.” quote by Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg) > “It is the absence of bars that makes a beast free - but only the truth can make a man free.” [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Freedom requires the removal of external constraints, but true liberty also depends on honesty and truth. **In simple terms:** Freedom needs truth. Key Takeaway Seek truth for genuine freedom. Themes freedom truth philosophy Mood contemplative inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - political activism - personal decision making - legal reform - spiritual practice Key Concepts authenticity ethical liberty Questions to Reflect On - What truths limit you? - How can honesty expand your freedom? A Different Perspective Truth alone may not guarantee freedom without action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Bars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bars/) [Bars Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bars-makes-2908977/) [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Beast Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast-free-2063894/) [Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Free Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-truth-650562/) [Man Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-free/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [It is only the TRUTH that can make a man FREE, it is only the TRUTH that can make a man LIVE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/it-is-only-the-truth-that-can-make-a-man-free-it-is-only-the-truth/) [Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/) > [A thousand men enslaved fear one beast free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/a-thousand-men-enslaved-fear-one-beast-free/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [It has been said, 'the truth will make men free.' The truth alone has never made anyone free. It is only doubt which will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-has-been-said-the-truth-will-make-men-free-the-truth-alone-has-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People always said the truth shall set you free. I’d spent too many years running from the truth to know for sure. Somehow, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taryn-plendl/people-always-said-the-truth-shall-set-you-free-i-d-spent-too-many/) [Taryn Plendl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taryn-plendl/) > [“Mackenzie, the truth shall set you free and the truth has a name; he's over in the woodshop right now covered in sawdust. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wm-paul-young/mackenzie-the-truth-shall-set-you-free-and-the-truth-has-a-name-he-s/) [Wm. Paul Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wm-paul-young/) > [The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-agar/the-truth-that-makes-men-free-is-for-the-most-part-the-truth-which/) [Herbert Agar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-agar/) > [Once the truth is denied to human beings, it is pure illusion to try to set them free. Truth and freedom either go together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/once-the-truth-is-denied-to-human-beings-it-is-pure-illusion-to-try/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [There is no safety where there is no strength; no strength without Union; no Union without justice; no justice where faith and truth are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lloyd-garrison/there-is-no-safety-where-there-is-no-strength-no-strength-without/) [William Lloyd Garrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lloyd-garrison/) > [Only the truth and its expression can establish that new public opinion which will reform the ancient obsolete and pernicious order of life; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/only-the-truth-and-its-expression-can-establish-that-new-public/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Truth will set you free. And Truth has a name...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/truth-will-set-you-free-and-truth-has-a-name/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [It has been said "the truth will make men free". The truth alone has never set anyone free. It is only DOUBT which will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-szandor-lavey/it-has-been-said-the-truth-will-make-men-free-the-truth-alone-has/) [Anton Szandor LaVey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-szandor-lavey/) > [Christ said, The Truth shall make you free, but Truth is not found once and forever. Truth is eternal, and the quest for Truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-heindel/christ-said-the-truth-shall-make-you-free-but-truth-is-not-found-once/) [Max Heindel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-heindel/) > [“It is the truth that sets us free, and it is the truth that we must run with in order to continue our race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-heald/it-is-the-truth-that-sets-us-free-and-it-is-the-truth-that-we-must/) [Cynthia Heald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-heald/) > [“Yet what is it except a game you play in which identity can be denied? You are as God created you. All else but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-schucman/yet-what-is-it-except-a-game-you-play-in-which-identity-can-be-denied/) [Helen Schucman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-schucman/) > [We must be free for the truth; and conversely, to be able to be open toward the truth may be our deepest freedom as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barrett/we-must-be-free-for-the-truth-and-conversely-to-be-able-to-be-open/) [William Barrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barrett/) ## More by Alan Keyes > [A nation of character is filled with citizens who gradually build lives based on the living awareness that their deeds are judged by eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/a-nation-of-character-is-filled-with-citizens-who-gradually-build/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Selfish hedonism is not a pejorative. It is a description - an exactly accurate description of what is involved in homosexual relations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/selfish-hedonism-is-not-a-pejorative-it-is-a-description-an-exactly/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [I read American sagas (of the west) and I do not see people who went in search of material things. I see people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-read-american-sagas-of-the-west-and-i-do-not-see-people-who-went-in/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [God's irony, that in order to fight and defeat the threat of terrorism, we shall have to be clear about the principle of justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/god-s-irony-that-in-order-to-fight-and-defeat-the-threat-of-terrorism/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Christ is the very epitome of innocence, and without the blood of Christ, shed on Calvary, God's plan of salvation would not have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/christ-is-the-very-epitome-of-innocence-and-without-the-blood-of/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Where do find the most persecuted Christians in the world?... in the classrooms of our government schools, where the assault is not upon the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/where-do-find-the-most-persecuted-christians-in-the-world-in-the/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [We must reject dictatorship in whatever form it takes--and especially when it rears its head in our own midst on the bench.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/we-must-reject-dictatorship-in-whatever-form-it-takes-and-especially/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [The heart of government, coated with whatever velvet gloves you want to put on it, is a mailed fist of force and coercion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/the-heart-of-government-coated-with-whatever-velvet-gloves-you-want/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [I feel like we're between two great possibilities: we're either going to turn things around, and in this generation see the rising sun of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-feel-like-we-re-between-two-great-possibilities-we-re-either-going/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [I accept the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, to represent the State of Illinois.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-accept-the-republican-nomination-for-the-u-s-senate-to-represent/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Rights don't come from human documents. The very idea is only worthy of contempt. Human documents are nothing but pieces of paper, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/rights-don-t-come-from-human-documents-the-very-idea-is-only-worthy/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [A conservative party that reshapes its self-presentation according to the suggestions of the liberal media, of course, may very well get what such lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/a-conservative-party-that-reshapes-its-self-presentation-according-to/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Christ would not vote for Barack Obama because Barack Obama has voted to behave in a way that it is inconceivable for Christ to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/christ-would-not-vote-for-barack-obama-because-barack-obama-has-voted/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Freedom does not mean doing what you can get away with, doing what you please. It means, instead, having the opportunity to do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/freedom-does-not-mean-doing-what-you-can-get-away-with-doing-what-you/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [The fundamental premise of liberalism is the moral incapacity of the American people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/the-fundamental-premise-of-liberalism-is-the-moral-incapacity-of-the/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) [Explore all 95 Alan Keyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) ## More Absence quotes > [Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“I was thinking how most people don't make you feel much of anything at all. Don't make you feel like time spent with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/i-was-thinking-how-most-people-don-t-make-you-feel-much-of-anything/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) > [Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/cooperation-isn-t-the-absence-of-conflict-but-a-means-of-managing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/will-capitalist-economies-operate-at-full-employment-in-the-absence/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [We must begin by acknowledging that there is a complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/we-must-begin-by-acknowledging-that-there-is-a-complete-absence-of/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) [Browse all 2,057 Absence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is the absence of bars that makes a beast free - but only the truth can make a man free.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alan Keyes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-beast-free-but-only-the-truth/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-beast-free-but-only-the-truth/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ef/alan-keyes-7078_absence_it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-b_1104088.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the absence of bars that makes a beast free - but only the truth can make a man free.” — Alan Keyes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alan Keyes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is the absence of bars...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-beast-free-but-only-the-truth/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/it-is-the-absence-of-bars-that-makes-a-beast-free-but-only-the-truth/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```