--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The newspaper that obstructs the law on a…" description: "\"The newspaper that obstructs the law on a trivial pretext, for money's sake, is a dangerous enemy to the public weal. That awful power, the public opin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cc/mark-twain-22_america_the-newspaper-that-obstructs-the-law-on_2238015.png" --- # The newspaper that obstructs the law on a trivial pretext… ![“The newspaper that obstructs the law on a trivial pretext, for money's sake, is a dangerous enemy to the public weal. That awful power, the public opinion of a nation, is created in America by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in…” quote by Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cc/mark-twain-22_america_the-newspaper-that-obstructs-the-law-on_2238015.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cc/mark-twain-22_america_the-newspaper-that-obstructs-the-law-on_2238015.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cc/mark-twain-22_america_the-newspaper-that-obstructs-the-law-on_2238015.png) > “The newspaper that obstructs the law on a trivial pretext, for money's sake, is a dangerous enemy to the public weal. That awful power, the public opinion of a nation, is created in America by a horde of ignorant, self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditching and shoemaking and fetched up in journalism on their way to the poorhouse.” [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The writer warns that when media serve profit over truth, they become a threat to democracy, manipulated by uninformed masses and corrupt interests. **In simple terms:** Corrupt media endangers public welfare. Key Takeaway Demand truthful, independent journalism. Themes media politics democracy corruption public opinion Mood critical concerned Type political educational When to use this quote - voting - activism - education - policy advocacy - community forums Key Concepts propaganda information ethics media literacy Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify the credibility of news? - What role should citizens play in media accountability? A Different Perspective Changing media landscapes can also empower reformers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Ditching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ditching/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Media control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media-control/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Public opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-opinion/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Simpletons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simpletons/) [Your honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-honor/) ## Related quotes > [I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to intermeddle in the internal concerns of another; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-have-always-given-it-as-my-decided-opinion-that-no-nation-had-a-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to intermeddle in the internal concerns of another; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-have-always-given-it-as-my-decided-opinion-that-no-nation-had-a/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Do not fear the enemy, for your enemy can only take your life. It is far better that you fear the media, for they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/do-not-fear-the-enemy-for-your-enemy-can-only-take-your-life-it-is/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“She was ditching Facebook and going back to real books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-scottoline/she-was-ditching-facebook-and-going-back-to-real-books/) [Lisa Scottoline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-scottoline/) > [I think ditching someone or making plans with someone else when you already have plans is one of the rudest things you can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-ditching-someone-or-making-plans-with-someone-else-when-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ditching someone for a 'better offer' is dirty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ditching-someone-for-a-better-offer-is-dirty/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ditching someone is one thing, planning on doing it and going behind everyone's back is another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ditching-someone-is-one-thing-planning-on-doing-it-and-going-behind/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The 20th century peatlands ditching in Finland was the worst human environmental destruction action in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pentti-linkola/the-20th-century-peatlands-ditching-in-finland-was-the-worst-human/) [Pentti Linkola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pentti-linkola/) > [“Ditching solidarity is never the answer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-albert-mann/ditching-solidarity-is-never-the-answer/) J. Albert Mann > [If you're planning on ditching someone don't post things on Facebook that you are hanging with someone else...dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-re-planning-on-ditching-someone-don-t-post-things-on-facebook/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Thanks for not ditching me in a dumpster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thanks-for-not-ditching-me-in-a-dumpster/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ditching someone for your significant other is not cool...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ditching-someone-for-your-significant-other-is-not-cool/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I will never understand the logic of ditching someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-never-understand-the-logic-of-ditching-someone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Ikuto! Are you ditching again? I'm bored, meow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peach-pit/ikuto-are-you-ditching-again-i-m-bored-meow/) [Peach-Pit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peach-pit/) > [I hate those 'well maybe' plans because if you go somewhere you're ditching someone or they just ditch you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-those-well-maybe-plans-because-if-you-go-somewhere-you-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Mark Twain > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“The Creator sat upon the throne, thinking. Behind him stretched the illimitable continent of heaven, steeped in a glory of light and color; before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-creator-sat-upon-the-throne-thinking-behind-him-stretched-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It's easy to quit smoking. I've done it hundreds of times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-s-easy-to-quit-smoking-i-ve-done-it-hundreds-of-times/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“It is never wrong to do the right thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-is-never-wrong-to-do-the-right-thing/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [There is nothing training can't cannot do. Nothing is above its reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/there-is-nothing-training-can-t-cannot-do-nothing-is-above-its-reach/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I never write Metropolis for seven cents because I can get the same price for city. I never write policeman because I can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-never-write-metropolis-for-seven-cents-because-i-can-get-the-same/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The higher animals get their teeth without pain or inconvenience. Man gets his through months and months of cruel torture; he will never get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-higher-animals-get-their-teeth-without-pain-or-inconvenience-man/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“As far as I can see, Italy, for fifteen hundred years, has turned all her energies, all her finances, and all her industry to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/as-far-as-i-can-see-italy-for-fifteen-hundred-years-has-turned-all/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Begin with the determination to succeed and the work is half done already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/begin-with-the-determination-to-succeed-and-the-work-is-half-done/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Many public-school children seem to know only two dates—1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/many-public-school-children-seem-to-know-only-two-dates-1492-and-4th/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [If we could imagine such a man, that is a man who could invent the fly and send him out on his mission and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-we-could-imagine-such-a-man-that-is-a-man-who-could-invent-the-fly/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [You perceive, now, that these things are all impossible except in a dream. You perceive that they are pure and puerile insanities, the silly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/you-perceive-now-that-these-things-are-all-impossible-except-in-a/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Lord save us all from a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/lord-save-us-all-from-a-hope-tree-that-has-lost-the-faculty-of/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) [Explore all 3,277 Mark Twain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## 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": "The newspaper that obstructs the law on a trivial pretext, for money's sake, is a dangerous enemy to the public weal. 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