--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I'm saying is simply that every…" description: "\"“What I'm saying is simply that every totalitarian society, no matter how strict, has had its underground. In fact, two undergrounds. There's the under..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/tom-robbins-169_human-spirit_what-i-m-saying-is-simply-that-every-tot_2597646.jpg" --- # What I'm saying is simply that every totalitarian society… ![“What I'm saying is simply that every totalitarian society, no matter how strict, has had its underground. In fact, two undergrounds. There's the underground involved in political resistance and the underground involved in preserving beauty and fun--which is to say, preserving the human spirit.” quote by Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/tom-robbins-169_human-spirit_what-i-m-saying-is-simply-that-every-tot_2597646.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/tom-robbins-169_human-spirit_what-i-m-saying-is-simply-that-every-tot_2597646.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/tom-robbins-169_human-spirit_what-i-m-saying-is-simply-that-every-tot_2597646.jpg) > ““What I'm saying is simply that every totalitarian society, no matter how strict, has had its underground. In fact, two undergrounds. There's the underground involved in political resistance and the underground involved in preserving beauty and fun--which is to say, preserving the human spirit.”” [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Totalitarian regimes have hidden subcultures: one political, one preserving joy and beauty. **In simple terms:** Even oppressive societies hide resistance and art. Key Takeaway Support underground art and resistance. Themes totalitarianism underground beauty Mood hopeful defiant Type cultural political When to use this quote - cultural preservation - political activism - community building Key Concepts political theory culture studies Questions to Reflect On - What role does art play in resistance? - How can joy survive oppression? A Different Perspective Underground may be co-opted by the regime. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-spirit/) [Still life with woodpecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/still-life-with-woodpecker/) [Totalitarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/totalitarian/) [Totalitarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/totalitarianism/) ## Related quotes > [“Although the surface of our planet is two-thirds water, we call it the Earth. We say we are earthlings, not waterlings. Our blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/although-the-surface-of-our-planet-is-two-thirds-water-we-call-it-the/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“Ritual he liked, but compulsory routine he hated. 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