Ankles Quote by Llewellyn Rockwell
“It isn't a coincidence that governments everywhere want to educate children. Government education, in turn, is supposed to be evidence of the state's goodness and its concern for our well-being. The real explanation is less flattering. If the government's propaganda can take root as children grow up, those kids will be no threat to the state apparatus. They'll fasten the chains to their own ankles. H.L. Mencken once said that the state doesn't just want to make you obey. It tries to make you want to obey. And that's one thing the government schools do very well.”
About This Quote
The passage argues that state‑run education serves to indoctrinate children, making them willingly compliant, rather than merely enforcing obedience.
In simple terms: Schools teach obedience by shaping desire.
Key Takeaway
Education can be a tool for social control.
Themes
education
state power
propaganda
obedience
Mood
skeptical
cautionary
Type
critical essay
philosophical
When to use this quote
- curriculum design meetings
- parent‑teacher conferences
- media literacy workshops
Key Concepts
social engineering
Practical Applications
- Promote critical thinking curricula
- Encourage independent media consumption
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports or refutes this claim?
- How can individuals retain autonomy within formal education?
A Different Perspective
Not all public education aims at control; many strive for empowerment.
