--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: he rated it as a gain in coming to…" description: "\"“he rated it as a gain in coming to America, that here you could get tea, and coffee, and meat every day. But the only true America is that country whe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d04/henry-david-thoreau-20_coming-to-america_he-rated-it-as-a-gain-in-coming-to-ameri_941536.jpg" --- # he rated it as a gain in coming to America, that here you… ![“he rated it as a gain in coming to America, that here you could get tea, and coffee, and meat every day. But the only true America is that country where you are at liberty to pursue such a mode of life as may enable you to do without these, and where the state does not endeavor to compel you to…” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d04/henry-david-thoreau-20_coming-to-america_he-rated-it-as-a-gain-in-coming-to-ameri_941536.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d04/henry-david-thoreau-20_coming-to-america_he-rated-it-as-a-gain-in-coming-to-ameri_941536.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d04/henry-david-thoreau-20_coming-to-america_he-rated-it-as-a-gain-in-coming-to-ameri_941536.jpg) > ““he rated it as a gain in coming to America, that here you could get tea, and coffee, and meat every day. But the only true America is that country where you are at liberty to pursue such a mode of life as may enable you to do without these, and where the state does not endeavor to compel you to sustain the slavery and war and other superfluous expenses which directly or indirectly result from the use of such things.”” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True liberty is living without dependence on material comforts that bind you to state-imposed obligations and conflict. **In simple terms:** Freedom means living without unnecessary goods and state coercion. Key Takeaway Seek self‑sufficiency and question consumer dependence. Themes freedom self‑sufficiency state power materialism Mood reflective critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - simple living - political activism - budgeting - community building - anti‑consumerism Key Concepts individualism political philosophy economics Questions to Reflect On - What comforts can you truly live without? - How does consumerism affect personal liberty? A Different Perspective May overlook practical needs of modern societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [I used to watch 'Coming to America' every day after school. I have full-on long-running inside jokes with friends and family about different scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabourey-sidibe/i-used-to-watch-coming-to-america-every-day-after-school-i-have-full/) [Gabourey Sidibe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabourey-sidibe/) > [I thought it was quite wonderful coming to America. I think immigration is a very difficult thing, but America is a very wonderful place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-thought-it-was-quite-wonderful-coming-to-america-i-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [After the separation of children from families seeking to join the United States was embraced as the official policy of our government, we should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/after-the-separation-of-children-from-families-seeking-to-join-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [“Look at the immigrants coming to America looking for a better life. What they got now? If they had the misfortune to be successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs-2/look-at-the-immigrants-coming-to-america-looking-for-a-better-life/) [William S Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs-2/) > [If you're thinking of coming to America, this is what it's like: you've got your Comfort Inn, you've got your Best Western, and you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/if-you-re-thinking-of-coming-to-america-this-is-what-it-s-like-you-ve/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [I've been coming to America since 1970, and it's like my second home, but I've never felt such a divided country, ever. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-ve-been-coming-to-america-since-1970-and-it-s-like-my-second-home/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [It's super trippy coming to America because we know everything about it - from music and film. I know what a Southern accent sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watkin-tudor-jones/it-s-super-trippy-coming-to-america-because-we-know-everything-about/) [Watkin Tudor Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watkin-tudor-jones/) > [My favorite movie is 'Coming to America.' It's a great movie! Eddie Murphy. Arsenio Hall. It kind of reflects my life - being from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-thompson/my-favorite-movie-is-coming-to-america-it-s-a-great-movie-eddie/) [Tristan Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-thompson/) > [I remember that coming to America was scary for me because everything here is just bigger, better, shinier, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-reynolds/i-remember-that-coming-to-america-was-scary-for-me-because-everything/) [Ryan Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-reynolds/) > [I love coming to America to race. Maybe that's because I'm a big fan of NASCAR as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ricciardo/i-love-coming-to-america-to-race-maybe-that-s-because-i-m-a-big-fan/) [Daniel Ricciardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ricciardo/) > [Today, many people are coming to America from very unstable situations. A hundred years ago, people came to America because they wanted to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-williams/today-many-people-are-coming-to-america-from-very-unstable-situations/) Jack Williams > [New Brown America represents a whole generation of kids that are descendants of either immigrants or immigrants themselves, that are coming to America, enriching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hasan-minhaj/new-brown-america-represents-a-whole-generation-of-kids-that-are/) [Hasan Minhaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hasan-minhaj/) > [Everywhere around the world They're coming to America Everytime that flags unfurled They're coming to America Got a dream to take them there They're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/everywhere-around-the-world-they-re-coming-to-america-everytime-that/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [The biggest change of my life was coming to America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonita-alizadeh/the-biggest-change-of-my-life-was-coming-to-america/) [Sonita Alizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonita-alizadeh/) > [My favorite movie is 'Coming to America' by Eddie Murphy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giannis-antetokounmpo/my-favorite-movie-is-coming-to-america-by-eddie-murphy/) [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giannis-antetokounmpo/) ## More by Henry David Thoreau > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Men say they know many things; But lo! they have taken wings, — The arts and sciences, And a thousand appliances; The wind that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/men-say-they-know-many-things-but-lo-they-have-taken-wings-the-arts/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“This spending of the best part of one's life earning money in order to enjoy a questionable liberty during the least valuable part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/this-spending-of-the-best-part-of-one-s-life-earning-money-in-order/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [A traveler who looks at things with an impartial eye may see what the oldest inhabitant has not observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-traveler-who-looks-at-things-with-an-impartial-eye-may-see-what-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-proportion-as-our-inward-life-fails-we-go-more-constantly-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-had-three-chairs-in-my-house-one-for-solitude-two-for-friendship/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The still youthful energies of the globe have only to be directed in their proper channel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-still-youthful-energies-of-the-globe-have-only-to-be-directed-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Concord's little arch does not span all our fate, nor is what transpires under it law for the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/concord-s-little-arch-does-not-span-all-our-fate-nor-is-what/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The lumberers rarely trouble themselves to put out their fires, such is the dampness of the primitive forest; and this is one cause, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-lumberers-rarely-trouble-themselves-to-put-out-their-fires-such/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“When he has obtained those things which are necessary to life, there is another alternative than to obtain the superfluities; and that is, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/when-he-has-obtained-those-things-which-are-necessary-to-life-there/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Wealth is measured by the level of experience in all aspects of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/wealth-is-measured-by-the-level-of-experience-in-all-aspects-of-life/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Explore all 3,376 Henry David Thoreau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More Coming to america quotes > [There is a very fine line between love and nausea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-earl-jones/there-is-a-very-fine-line-between-love-and-nausea/) [James Earl Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-earl-jones/) > [I was desperate on Coming To America set - not to buy drugs or anything, but I had a person at home, a girlfriend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-l-jackson/i-was-desperate-on-coming-to-america-set-not-to-buy-drugs-or-anything/) [Samuel L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-l-jackson/) > [I used to watch 'Coming to America' every day after school. I have full-on long-running inside jokes with friends and family about different scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabourey-sidibe/i-used-to-watch-coming-to-america-every-day-after-school-i-have-full/) [Gabourey Sidibe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabourey-sidibe/) > [The basis for my own work during the years just before coming to America in 1915 was a desire to break up forms -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/the-basis-for-my-own-work-during-the-years-just-before-coming-to/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [When I think of being Venezuelan, I just think of my dad and how his story is so significant, coming to America and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianna-pena/when-i-think-of-being-venezuelan-i-just-think-of-my-dad-and-how-his/) [Julianna Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianna-pena/) > [I would not describe myself as a political writer except in the sense that the personal is political, which is something that I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/i-would-not-describe-myself-as-a-political-writer-except-in-the-sense/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [The biggest change of my life was coming to America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonita-alizadeh/the-biggest-change-of-my-life-was-coming-to-america/) [Sonita Alizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonita-alizadeh/) > [Everywhere around the world They're coming to America Everytime that flags unfurled They're coming to America Got a dream to take them there They're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/everywhere-around-the-world-they-re-coming-to-america-everytime-that/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [You look at Superman, the story of an orphan coming to America, keeping his identity secret and even the names, Kal-El and Jor-El, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-robinson/you-look-at-superman-the-story-of-an-orphan-coming-to-america-keeping/) [Jerry Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-robinson/) > [New Brown America represents a whole generation of kids that are descendants of either immigrants or immigrants themselves, that are coming to America, enriching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hasan-minhaj/new-brown-america-represents-a-whole-generation-of-kids-that-are/) [Hasan Minhaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hasan-minhaj/) > [I had been coming to America very frequently for many, many years, so I had plenty of exposure - and maybe the best kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/i-had-been-coming-to-america-very-frequently-for-many-many-years-so-i/) [Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-child/) > [Look, I'm an immigrant, so I know what it is like to dream about coming to America and then to get here and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/look-i-m-an-immigrant-so-i-know-what-it-is-like-to-dream-about-coming/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [I had some people who disagreed with me here or there - but nothing as strong as I've received, you know, coming to America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/i-had-some-people-who-disagreed-with-me-here-or-there-but-nothing-as/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) > [I love edgy comedy. 'Coming to America' still gets me and 'Friday.' I watch old Richard Pryor stand-up on VHS, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamron-hall/i-love-edgy-comedy-coming-to-america-still-gets-me-and-friday-i-watch/) [Tamron Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamron-hall/) > [I think when I started acting, the whole time I was working towards one day coming to America. Hollywood, in particular, is seen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-hemsworth/i-think-when-i-started-acting-the-whole-time-i-was-working-towards/) [Liam Hemsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-hemsworth/) Browse all 57 Coming to america quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“he rated it as a gain in coming to America, that here you could get tea, and coffee, and meat every day. 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