Barrels Quote by Horace Greeley
“Morality and religion are but words to him who fishes in gutters for the means of sustaining life, and crouches behind barrels in the street for shelter from the cutting blasts of a winter night.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Editorial, New-York Tribune, 1865
He sees morality and religion as mere survival tools for the desperate, not higher ideals.
In simple terms: Religion is a means for the poor to survive.
Recognize when beliefs become survival tactics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- homelessness
- urban poverty
- street life
- social services
- philanthropy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you use belief systems as coping mechanisms?
- How does hardship reshape moral views?
May overlook deeper spiritual values beyond mere survival.