--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But if there be a country which cannot…" description: "\"“But if there be a country which cannot stand any one of these tests, — a country where knowledge cannot be diffused without perils of mob-law and stat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_freedom_but-if-there-be-a-country-which-cannot-s_2629872.png" --- # But if there be a country which cannot stand any one of… ![“But if there be a country which cannot stand any one of these tests, — a country where knowledge cannot be diffused without perils of mob-law and statute-law; where speech is not free; where the post-office is violated, mail-bags opened, and letters tampered with; where public debts and private…” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_freedom_but-if-there-be-a-country-which-cannot-s_2629872.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_freedom_but-if-there-be-a-country-which-cannot-s_2629872.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/330/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_freedom_but-if-there-be-a-country-which-cannot-s_2629872.png) > ““But if there be a country which cannot stand any one of these tests, — a country where knowledge cannot be diffused without perils of mob-law and statute-law; where speech is not free; where the post-office is violated, mail-bags opened, and letters tampered with; where public debts and private debts outside of the State are repudiated; where liberty is attacked in the primary institution of social life; where the position of the white woman is injuriously affected by the outlawry of the black woman; where the arts, such as they have, are all imported, having no indigenous life; where the laborer is not secured in the earnings of his own hands; where suffrage is not free or equal; — that country is, in all these respects, not civil, but barbarous; and no advantages of soil, climate, or coast can resist these suicidal mischiefs.”” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A society that suppresses free speech, honest communication, equal rights, and economic independence is uncivilized despite any natural advantages. **In simple terms:** Lack of liberty and equality makes a nation barbaric. Key Takeaway Protect and promote civil liberties and equal rights. Themes freedom equality civil rights justice culture Mood concerned critical Type political social When to use this quote - voting rights - press freedom - labor rights - racial equality - artistic expression Key Concepts democracy rule of law social contract human rights Questions to Reflect On - How does restricting speech affect societal health? - What steps can restore civil liberties? A Different Perspective Even with resources, oppression undermines civilization. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country Respects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-respects-2180580/) [Equal Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal-country-2180579/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty Attacked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-attacked-2180578/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Repudiated Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repudiated-liberty-2180581/) [Social life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-life/) [Tests Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests-country-2180577/) ## Related quotes > [In every man there is an instinctive and passionate reaction if his person or liberty is attacked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-keith/in-every-man-there-is-an-instinctive-and-passionate-reaction-if-his/) [Arthur Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-keith/) > [Whether we are independent or not, I will use every single day to try and make Scotland a better country, a more equal country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humza-yousaf/whether-we-are-independent-or-not-i-will-use-every-single-day-to-try/) [Humza Yousaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humza-yousaf/) > [In a supposedly free and equal country, there is no excuse for our rulers having VIP treatment. 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