Broads Quote by William Jennings Bryan
““You came to tell us that the great cities are in favour of the gold standard; we reply that the great cities rest upon our broad and fertile plains. Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic. But destroy out farms and the grass will grow in the city...You shall not press down upon the brow of labour this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1896 Presidential Campaign, United States
He argues that wealth and gold cannot sustain civilization without productive labor and agriculture; material wealth alone cannot replace the foundation of human effort.
In simple terms: Gold alone cannot sustain society without labor.
Key Takeaway
Value labor over wealth.
Themes
economics
labor
agriculture
wealth
politics
Mood
defiant
critical
serious
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- economic debates
- policy discussions
Key Concepts
materialism
sustainable development
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society balance wealth with labor?
- What are the risks of valuing gold over agriculture?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on gold ignores human labor and ecological limits.
