Accents Quote by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
“Wide open and unguarded stand our gates And through them presses a wild motley throng Men from the Volga and the Tartar steppes Featureless figures of the Hoang-Ho Malayan, Scythian, Teuton, Kelt, and Slav Flying the Old World's poverty and scorn These bringing with them unknown gods and rites Those, tiger passions, here to stretch their claws In street and alley what strange tongues are loud Accents of menace alien to our air Voices that once the Tower of Babel knew! O Liberty, white Goddess! Is it well To leave the gates unguarded?”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Gates of the World" by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, 1880
The poem warns that an open, unguarded border invites a chaotic mix of peoples, cultures, and dangers, challenging the nation's sense of safety and identity.
In simple terms: Open borders bring diverse, potentially threatening influences.
Key Takeaway
Guard your boundaries wisely.
Themes
security
culture
identity
danger
immigration
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
warning
poetic
When to use this quote
- border control debates
- immigration policy
- cultural integration
- national security planning
- urban community safety
Key Concepts
nationalism
otherness
anxiety
diversity
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks do you see in unguarded borders?
- How might openness benefit a society?
A Different Perspective
Open borders can also foster cultural enrichment and economic growth.
