--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whoever looks at America will see: the…" description: "\"Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by stupidity, corruption, or prejudice,\" — Johann Most" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg" --- # Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by… ![“Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by stupidity, corruption, or prejudice,” quote by Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg) > “Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by stupidity, corruption, or prejudice,” [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. America is driven by ignorance, corruption, and prejudice. **In simple terms:** Society suffers from folly and bias. Key Takeaway Combat misinformation and prejudice. Themes politics society critique Mood urgent analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - public debate - policy reform - education campaigns Key Concepts systemic failure ethical decay Questions to Reflect On - What reforms could reduce societal prejudice? - How can citizens address systemic corruption? A Different Perspective Complex issues may not be reduced to three causes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Prejudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudice/) [Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity/) ## Related quotes > [“And how are such wars to be waged? The wise prince will begin by assuming the enemy to be infinitely corruptible and infinitely stupid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-machen/and-how-are-such-wars-to-be-waged-the-wise-prince-will-begin-by/) [Arthur Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-machen/) > [Wherever you see a man who gives someone else's corruption, someone else's prejudice as a reason for not taking action himself, you see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jay-chapman/wherever-you-see-a-man-who-gives-someone-else-s-corruption-someone/) [John Jay Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jay-chapman/) > [No country in the world looks upon America as a friend. When the U.S. is mentioned, people are reminded of war, aggression and bloodshed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-ahmadinejad/no-country-in-the-world-looks-upon-america-as-a-friend-when-the-u-s/) [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-ahmadinejad/) > [After all, when the world looks to America, they look to us because we are the most successful political and economic experiment in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/after-all-when-the-world-looks-to-america-they-look-to-us-because-we/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [As a New Yorker, I'm someone who lives on an island and looks across to America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/as-a-new-yorker-i-m-someone-who-lives-on-an-island-and-looks-across/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [There is a reason the world always looks to America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gillard/there-is-a-reason-the-world-always-looks-to-america/) [Julia Gillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gillard/) > [When the world looks at America, what it sees is an Israeli colony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/when-the-world-looks-at-america-what-it-sees-is-an-israeli-colony/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [From my image of digging around in the mud like a grunt, I preferred fighting the war from ships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/from-my-image-of-digging-around-in-the-mud-like-a-grunt-i-preferred/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [A lighthouse doesn't save the ships; it doesn't go out and rescue them, it's just this pillar that helps to guide people home,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lea-michele/a-lighthouse-doesn-t-save-the-ships-it-doesn-t-go-out-and-rescue-them/) [Lea Michele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lea-michele/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I knew that I had turned my world back to cinders, sunk my lovely ship with my own stupid, wicked hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-stewart/i-knew-that-i-had-turned-my-world-back-to-cinders-sunk-my-lovely-ship/) [Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-stewart/) > [I shall sleep, and move with the moving ships, Change as the winds change, veer in the tide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-charles-swinburne/i-shall-sleep-and-move-with-the-moving-ships-change-as-the-winds/) [Algernon Charles Swinburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-charles-swinburne/) > [Many of us rely on our own illusion of control. But when God makes it known to you that you're not the one steering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/many-of-us-rely-on-our-own-illusion-of-control-but-when-god-makes-it/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/) William Henry Pickering > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## More by Johann Most > [The aims of anarchists and true communists are identical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-aims-of-anarchists-and-true-communists-are-identical/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [They make revolutionary propaganda because they know the privileged class can never be overturned peacefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/they-make-revolutionary-propaganda-because-they-know-the-privileged/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Anarchists are socialists because they want the improvement of society, and they are communists because they are convinced that such a transformation of society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/anarchists-are-socialists-because-they-want-the-improvement-of/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [As set forth by theologians, the idea of 'God' is an argument that assumes its own conclusions, and proves nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/as-set-forth-by-theologians-the-idea-of-god-is-an-argument-that/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [If we hope and even assume that the social question will be answered through communism, and not in this or that country but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/if-we-hope-and-even-assume-that-the-social-question-will-be-answered/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Is anarchism possible? The failure of attempts to attain freedom does not mean the cause is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/is-anarchism-possible-the-failure-of-attempts-to-attain-freedom-does/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Above all, what socialist, without flushing with shame, maintains he is not a revolutionary? We say: none!.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/above-all-what-socialist-without-flushing-with-shame-maintains-he-is/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Anarchists prepare for social revolution and use every means - speech, writing, or deed, whichever is more to the point; to accelerate revolutionary development.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/anarchists-prepare-for-social-revolution-and-use-every-means-speech/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Among all mental diseases that have been systematically inoculated into the human cranium, the religious pest is the most abominable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/among-all-mental-diseases-that-have-been-systematically-inoculated/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The aims of anarchists and true communists are identical. The anarchists, on behalf of the proletariat, therefore consider it necessary to show the proletariat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-aims-of-anarchists-and-true-communists-are-identical-the/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The god of the Christians, as we have seen, is the god who makes promises only to break them; who sends them pestilence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-god-of-the-christians-as-we-have-seen-is-the-god-who-makes/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [It is the lash of hunger which compels the poor man to submit. In order to live he must sell - 'voluntarily' sell -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/it-is-the-lash-of-hunger-which-compels-the-poor-man-to-submit-in/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Fortunately, no country was ever more suited for anarchist agitation than present-day America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/fortunately-no-country-was-ever-more-suited-for-anarchist-agitation/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [While we have entertained the contention that a deed may make more propaganda than hundreds of speeches, thousands of articles, and tens of thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/while-we-have-entertained-the-contention-that-a-deed-may-make-more/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [The existing system will be quickest and most radically overthrown by the annihilation of its exponents. Therefore, massacres of the enemies of the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/the-existing-system-will-be-quickest-and-most-radically-overthrown-by/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) [Explore all 24 Johann Most quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [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/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by stupidity, corruption, or prejudice,", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Most" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-ship-is-powered-by-stupidity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "America" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-ship-is-powered-by-stupidity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c4/johann-most-24344_america_whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-sh_2712471.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whoever looks at America will see: the ship is powered by stupidity, corruption, or prejudice,” — Johann Most", "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": "Johann Most", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Whoever looks at America will see:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-ship-is-powered-by-stupidity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/whoever-looks-at-america-will-see-the-ship-is-powered-by-stupidity/#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 } } ] } ```