---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only to those who have been in prison…"
description: "\"Only to those who have been in prison does freedom have such great meaning.\" — Corrie Ten Boom"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png"
---

#  Only to those who have been in prison does freedom have…

![“Only to those who have been in prison does freedom have such great meaning.” quote by Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png)

> “Only to those who have been in prison does freedom have such great meaning.”

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

## About This Quote

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

Freedom feels profound when experienced after severe loss of liberty.

**In simple terms:** Freedom is valued after imprisonment.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate liberty more.

Themes

freedom gratitude perspective

Mood

reflective grateful

Type

personal philosophical

When to use this quote

- post‑incarceration life
- rehabilitation
- advocacy for prisoners' rights

Key Concepts

human resilience meaning of liberty

Questions to Reflect On

- How does personal loss reshape your view of freedom?
- What can society do to honor those who endured imprisonment?

A Different Perspective

Freedom may be taken for granted without reflection.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/)

## Related quotes

> [“outwardly calm as a marble Madonna, she is all the while exerting her passive stubborn strength against him. A prison does not only lock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/outwardly-calm-as-a-marble-madonna-she-is-all-the-while-exerting-her/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“If a prisoner paints his cell in the prison, does it mean that he likes the prison? Why does he do so? It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-a-prisoner-paints-his-cell-in-the-prison-does-it-mean-that-he/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

> [In the very progress of society, the prison has in the very nature of things undergone some improvement, but there are vast stretches yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/in-the-very-progress-of-society-the-prison-has-in-the-very-nature-of/)

[Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/)

> [Prison does strange things to men. Although its purpose is to break the free spirit of a man, in many cases it just adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-powell/prison-does-strange-things-to-men-although-its-purpose-is-to-break/)

[William Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-powell/)

> [A prison does not only lock its inmates inside, it keeps all others out. Her strongest prison is of her own construction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/a-prison-does-not-only-lock-its-inmates-inside-it-keeps-all-others/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [It does not matter what you call the gaoler so long as he has the key that will open the door of your prison!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/it-does-not-matter-what-you-call-the-gaoler-so-long-as-he-has-the-key/)

[Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/)

> [Does freedom have a meaning if you're trapped in your ways?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormega/does-freedom-have-a-meaning-if-you-re-trapped-in-your-ways/)

[Cormega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormega/)

> [“Or, if you want to go just a wee bit deeper, we could talk about the nature of freedom itself. Does freedom mean that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/or-if-you-want-to-go-just-a-wee-bit-deeper-we-could-talk-about-the/)

[William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/)

> [Does freedom of speech give the right to offend?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maajid-nawaz/does-freedom-of-speech-give-the-right-to-offend/)

[Maajid Nawaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maajid-nawaz/)

> [As humans, we need to question all these notions. What does freedom mean for us? What are our responsibilities? It takes one-250th of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-franklin/as-humans-we-need-to-question-all-these-notions-what-does-freedom/)

[Stuart Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-franklin/)

> [We want people to watch and consume what we do, but we are not trying to sell anything. So that does give us a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-kuenssberg/we-want-people-to-watch-and-consume-what-we-do-but-we-are-not-trying/)

[Laura Kuenssberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-kuenssberg/)

> [“What does freedom mean if we accept the fundamental premise that humans are social beings, raised in certain social and historical contexts and belonging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lila-abu-lughod/what-does-freedom-mean-if-we-accept-the-fundamental-premise-that/)

Lila Abu-Lughod

> [“If you think about it long enough, you see that the paradox is actually pointing you to the idea that we have no freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-munson/if-you-think-about-it-long-enough-you-see-that-the-paradox-is/)

Sam Munson

> [“THERE is no bondage in the Heavenly Life. There is Perfect Freedom. This is its great glory. This Supreme Freedom is gained only by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/there-is-no-bondage-in-the-heavenly-life-there-is-perfect-freedom/)

[James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/)

> [The advance of human freedom - the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time - now depends on us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-advance-of-human-freedom-the-great-achievement-of-our-time-and/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

## More by Corrie Ten Boom

> [A man is powerful on his knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/a-man-is-powerful-on-his-knees/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [Only Heaven will reveal the top part of God's tapestry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/only-heaven-will-reveal-the-top-part-of-god-s-tapestry/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [For I bring not a religion... but a Person, who loves people, who died for them on the cross. For Jesus died for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/for-i-bring-not-a-religion-but-a-person-who-loves-people-who-died-for/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [To pray only when in peril is to use safety belts only in heavy traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/to-pray-only-when-in-peril-is-to-use-safety-belts-only-in-heavy/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/what-wings-are-to-a-bird-and-sails-to-a-ship-so-is-prayer-to-the-soul/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [“And so I learned that love is larger than the walls that shut it in”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/and-so-i-learned-that-love-is-larger-than-the-walls-that-shut-it-in/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [There is an ocean of Gods love available-there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love-whatever the circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/there-is-an-ocean-of-gods-love-available-there-is-plenty-for-everyone/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [I looked on Jesus and the dove of peace entered my heart. I looked at the dove of peace; and lo...off he went.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/i-looked-on-jesus-and-the-dove-of-peace-entered-my-heart-i-looked-at/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [If God has called you, do not spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/if-god-has-called-you-do-not-spend-time-looking-over-your-shoulder-to/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [When I try, I fail. When I trust, He succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/when-i-try-i-fail-when-i-trust-he-succeeds/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/memories-are-the-key-not-to-the-past-but-to-the-future/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [“You say we could lose our lives for this child. I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/you-say-we-could-lose-our-lives-for-this-child-i-would-consider-that/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [If all things are possible with God, then all things are possible to him who believes in Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/if-all-things-are-possible-with-god-then-all-things-are-possible-to/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [... God uses such seemingly insignificant ways to prepare us for the plan He has for our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/god-uses-such-seemingly-insignificant-ways-to-prepare-us-for-the-plan/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

> [No matter how deep our darkness, he is deeper still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/no-matter-how-deep-our-darkness-he-is-deeper-still/)

[Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

[Explore all 210 Corrie Ten Boom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/)

## More Doe quotes

> [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/i-cannot-forbid-a-person-to-marry-several-wives-for-it-does-not/)

[Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/)

> [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/)

[Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/)

> [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/)

[Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/)

> [Sometimes a sign or a quote is simply interesting by itself and does not require anything beyond being framed on a page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/sometimes-a-sign-or-a-quote-is-simply-interesting-by-itself-and-does/)

[Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/)

> [A home is not a museum. It doesn't have to be furnished with Picasso paintings, or Sheraton suites, or Oriental rugs, or Chinese pottery.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-cain/a-home-is-not-a-museum-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-furnished-with-picasso/)

[James M. Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-cain/)

> [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/)

[Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/)

> [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/)

[William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/)

> [Nothing old is ever reborn but neither does it totally disappear. And that which has once been born, will always reappear in a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvar-aalto/nothing-old-is-ever-reborn-but-neither-does-it-totally-disappear-and/)

[Alvar Aalto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvar-aalto/)

> [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/)

[Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/)

> [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/)

[Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/)

[Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/)

> [If Wall Street crashes, does Main Street follow? Not necessarily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bernanke/if-wall-street-crashes-does-main-street-follow-not-necessarily/)

[Ben Bernanke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bernanke/)

> [It does not seem to me to be sufficiently recognized everywhere among the officials that the existence or non-existence of our people and Empire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-von-hindenburg/it-does-not-seem-to-me-to-be-sufficiently-recognized-everywhere-among/)

[Paul von Hindenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-von-hindenburg/)

Browse all 25,574 Doe quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Only to those who have been in prison does freedom have such great meaning.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Corrie Ten Boom"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-does-freedom-have-such-great/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Doe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-does-freedom-have-such-great/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f9/corrie-ten-boom-1733_doe_only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-do_365888.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Only to those who have been in prison does freedom have such great meaning.” — Corrie Ten Boom",
                "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": "Corrie Ten Boom",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Only to those who have been...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-does-freedom-have-such-great/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/only-to-those-who-have-been-in-prison-does-freedom-have-such-great/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
