--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The bars could not hold me. Force could…" description: "\"The bars could not hold me. Force could not control me. They tried to keep me down, but Jah put I around. Yes, I've been accused. Wrongly abused. But t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/bob-marley-680_abused_the-bars-could-not-hold-me-force-could-n_3108378.jpg" --- # The bars could not hold me. Force could not control me… ![“The bars could not hold me. Force could not control me. They tried to keep me down, but Jah put I around. Yes, I've been accused. Wrongly abused. But through the powers of the Most High, they've got to turn me loose.” quote by Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/bob-marley-680_abused_the-bars-could-not-hold-me-force-could-n_3108378.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/bob-marley-680_abused_the-bars-could-not-hold-me-force-could-n_3108378.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/bob-marley-680_abused_the-bars-could-not-hold-me-force-could-n_3108378.jpg) > “The bars could not hold me. Force could not control me. They tried to keep me down, but Jah put I around. Yes, I've been accused. Wrongly abused. But through the powers of the Most High, they've got to turn me loose.” [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Resistance against oppression and reliance on spiritual strength to overcome external constraints. **In simple terms:** Spiritual resilience over oppression. Key Takeaway Trust inner strength, seek higher guidance. Themes freedom spirituality resistance justice Mood defiant hopeful empowering Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - activism - personal struggle - overcoming adversity - legal battles Key Concepts empowerment faith self-determination Questions to Reflect On - How do you channel inner strength when faced with oppression? - What role does faith play in your resistance? A Different Perspective May not address systemic issues without collective action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abused/) [Abused Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abused-powers-5055548/) [Accused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accused/) [Bars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bars/) [Bars Hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bars-hold-5419229/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Hold Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-force-5419230/) [Hold me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-me/) [Serious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious/) [Turn me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turn-me/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Wrongly Abused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrongly-abused-5419228/) ## Related quotes > [For too long, Big-Tech has abused its powers and targeted the constitutional rights of American citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-cawthorn/for-too-long-big-tech-has-abused-its-powers-and-targeted-the/) [Madison Cawthorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-cawthorn/) > [My strokes are safer when I hit full power. They are unsafe when I hold back; it's more that I force myself to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-thiem/my-strokes-are-safer-when-i-hit-full-power-they-are-unsafe-when-i/) [Dominic Thiem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-thiem/) > [I am obsessive always, even as a child. On one side is this strict orthodox religion, on the other is communism, and I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-abramovic/i-am-obsessive-always-even-as-a-child-on-one-side-is-this-strict/) [Marina Abramovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-abramovic/) > [What joy have I in June's return? My feet are parched-my eyeballs burn, I scent no flowery gust; But faint the flagging zephyr springs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-joy-have-i-in-june-s-return-my-feet-are-parched-my-eyeballs-burn/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Thalia had been turned into a pine tree when she was 12. Me... well, i was doing my best not to follow her example.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/thalia-had-been-turned-into-a-pine-tree-when-she-was-12-me-well-i-was/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [What turns me on is erotica; what turns you on is pornographic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-willis/what-turns-me-on-is-erotica-what-turns-you-on-is-pornographic/) [Ellen Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-willis/) > [I know part of what turns me on so hard, makes me so violent with lust, is that he's dangerous. I fell for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-know-part-of-what-turns-me-on-so-hard-makes-me-so-violent-with-lust/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [I know this sounds ridiculous but I like guys with love handles. I hate a washboard stomach - that does not turn me on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-reid/i-know-this-sounds-ridiculous-but-i-like-guys-with-love-handles-i/) [Tara Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-reid/) > [Here's what I love: when a great writer turns me into a Jew from Chicago, a lesbian out of South Carolina, or a black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/here-s-what-i-love-when-a-great-writer-turns-me-into-a-jew-from/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [I'm a sexual person. A lot of different people turn me on and have over the years, and I've always wanted to make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bernhard/i-m-a-sexual-person-a-lot-of-different-people-turn-me-on-and-have/) [Sandra Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bernhard/) > [I can look at a chick who's a little out of shape and if she turns me on, I won't hesitate to date her.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-can-look-at-a-chick-who-s-a-little-out-of-shape-and-if-she-turns-me/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [In sports, I refused to do any interviews that were just going to become human-interest stories. Don't turn me into a tragic heroine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-mullins/in-sports-i-refused-to-do-any-interviews-that-were-just-going-to/) [Aimee Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-mullins/) > [The music that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-music-that-really-turns-me-on-is-either-running-toward-god-or/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [I'm in love with mary jane. she's my main thing. she makes me feel alright. she makes my heart sing. and when I'm feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-james/i-m-in-love-with-mary-jane-she-s-my-main-thing-she-makes-me-feel/) [Rick James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-james/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) ## More by Bob Marley > [If you're white and you're wrong, then you're wrong; if you're black and you're wrong, you're wrong. People are people. Black, blue, pink, green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/if-you-re-white-and-you-re-wrong-then-you-re-wrong-if-you-re-black/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our minds. Have no fear for atomic energy, 'Cause none of them can stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/emancipate-yourself-from-mental-slavery-none-but-ourselves-can-free/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [We don't need no trouble! What we need is love!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/we-don-t-need-no-trouble-what-we-need-is-love/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/the-things-that-seem-insignificant-to-most-people-such-as-a-note-song/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Politics and church are the same. They keep the people in ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/politics-and-church-are-the-same-they-keep-the-people-in-ignorance/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Nothing is wrong if it makes you happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/nothing-is-wrong-if-it-makes-you-happy/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Who are you to judge the life I live? I am not perfect and I don't have to be! Before you start pointing fingers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/who-are-you-to-judge-the-life-i-live-i-am-not-perfect-and-i-don-t/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [None but ourselves can free our minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/none-but-ourselves-can-free-our-minds/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [The more you accept herb, the more you accept Rastafari.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/the-more-you-accept-herb-the-more-you-accept-rastafari/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [I don't have a religion, you know. This is what I am. I am a Rastaman; so this is not religion. This is life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/i-don-t-have-a-religion-you-know-this-is-what-i-am-i-am-a-rastaman-so/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [You just can't life in that negative way, make way for the positive day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/you-just-can-t-life-in-that-negative-way-make-way-for-the-positive-day/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [“Everytime I plant a seed,he say kill it before it grow, he say kill it before they grow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/everytime-i-plant-a-seed-he-say-kill-it-before-it-grow-he-say-kill-it/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [One of my good friends said, in a reggae riddim, don't jump in the water if you can't swim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/one-of-my-good-friends-said-in-a-reggae-riddim-don-t-jump-in-the/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Sometimes you have to fight with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/sometimes-you-have-to-fight-with-music/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Some people feel the rain. Other's just get wet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/some-people-feel-the-rain-other-s-just-get-wet/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) [Explore all 408 Bob Marley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) ## More Abused quotes > [One of the most abused country on earth is Mexico. The marketing spills over the border, and people are persuaded to eat food that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-patel/one-of-the-most-abused-country-on-earth-is-mexico-the-marketing/) [Raj Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-patel/) > [“Too many cases thrown out of court, too much pop-psycho crap, satanic bullshit... if you FEEL you've been abused, you HAVE been!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kellerman/too-many-cases-thrown-out-of-court-too-much-pop-psycho-crap-satanic/) [Jonathan Kellerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kellerman/) > [“Rather than being incensed by the nature of the bruise, maybe we should be inspired by the possibilities in the bruise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/rather-than-being-incensed-by-the-nature-of-the-bruise-maybe-we/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I used to teach at an abused children's home. I told the kids, "You all have a manure pile of memories. Nothing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-o-donnell/i-used-to-teach-at-an-abused-children-s-home-i-told-the-kids-you-all/) [Rebecca O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-o-donnell/) > [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“I'm 80% done with The Darker Side of Trey : "It was a pitiful truth. That people seemed unwilling to see the abused, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-spears/i-m-80-done-with-the-darker-side-of-trey-it-was-a-pitiful-truth-that/) [Tara Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-spears/) > [Praise makes me humble, but when I am abused, I know that I have touched the stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gyles-brandreth/praise-makes-me-humble-but-when-i-am-abused-i-know-that-i-have/) [Gyles Brandreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gyles-brandreth/) > [I’ve abused myself a lot over the years. But my voice is still intact – really, it’s better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-cliff/i-ve-abused-myself-a-lot-over-the-years-but-my-voice-is-still-intact/) [Jimmy Cliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-cliff/) > [I've been chased. I've been pushed. I've been screamed at. I've been verbally abused. I've been afraid for my safety. But I did it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-mandel/i-ve-been-chased-i-ve-been-pushed-i-ve-been-screamed-at-i-ve-been/) [Howie Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-mandel/) > [“The book is open, spine cracked, abused in a way no one with respect for paper should ever do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-swyler/the-book-is-open-spine-cracked-abused-in-a-way-no-one-with-respect/) [Erika Swyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-swyler/) > [I ask my friend -what is your story?- because I want to give the answer of mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ask-my-friend-what-is-your-story-because-i-want-to-give-the-answer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people have never been loved, they've only been disrespected, used, cheated on, abused and hurt that's why they don't trust anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/some-people-have-never-been-loved-they-ve-only-been-disrespected-used/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [The term 'doctor' has been so abused lately! I didn't live in a hospital for 10 years so that term could be bastardized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-pinsky/the-term-doctor-has-been-so-abused-lately-i-didn-t-live-in-a-hospital/) [Drew Pinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-pinsky/) > [“Abuse ambushed my life, I could not love myself truly and could never have a healthy relationship, they were either abused or completely impaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-dsouza/abuse-ambushed-my-life-i-could-not-love-myself-truly-and-could-never/) [Patricia Dsouza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-dsouza/) > [Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst...They are for nothing but to inspire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/books-are-the-best-of-things-well-used-abused-among-the-worst-they/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Browse all 293 Abused quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abused/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The bars could not hold me. 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