You would better educate ten women into the practice of liberal
You would better educate ten women into the practice of liberal principles than to organize a thousand on a platform of intolerance and bigotry.
When Susan B. Anthony proclaimed, “You would better educate ten women into the practice of liberal principles than to organize a thousand on a platform of intolerance and bigotry,” she revealed a truth that strikes across centuries: numbers without wisdom are hollow, but even a few souls armed with truth can shake the pillars of the world. To educate women in justice and liberty is to plant seeds that yield generations of freedom; to gather the multitude in intolerance and bigotry is to build only on sand, destined to collapse in shame.
Her words carry the spirit of her time, when women fought for the sacred right of suffrage. Anthony knew well that the power of the movement lay not in mere crowds, but in the clarity of principles. A thousand voices shouting ignorance cannot match ten voices speaking reason and justice. For one enlightened heart can kindle a thousand others, while a thousand blinded hearts can only spread darkness.
History offers its witness. In Seneca Falls, in 1848, a small gathering of women and men declared the Declaration of Sentiments, demanding equality before the law. They were but a handful, scorned by many, dismissed as dreamers. Yet their vision, forged in truth rather than in numbers, carried through the decades until it broke the chains of disenfranchisement. Their few voices outweighed the clamor of the many who resisted them.
Anthony’s wisdom echoes the teachings of the ancients: it is better to train a few disciples in righteousness than to lead a horde into folly. Socrates himself sought not crowds but individuals, knowing that the power of philosophy was in the depth of a single soul transformed. So too did Anthony, urging that the work of education in liberal principles outweighs the shallow victory of vast but misguided followings.
Thus, let this lesson endure for generations: seek not the intoxication of numbers, but the power of truth. Ten women who live in justice are worth more than a thousand trapped in prejudice. For armies built on intolerance crumble, but even the smallest company of the just can endure like stone against the storm. This is the eternal law of change: transformation begins not with the multitude, but with the faithful few.
UNUri n
Susan B. Anthony’s quote made me reflect on how education can be a transformative tool for social change. But does her argument suggest that education should be the sole focus? Could the work of educating women be marginalized if not paired with strong collective action against intolerance? Is it possible that in today’s world, both education and activism need to go hand-in-hand to make the most significant impact?
NBDao Ngoc Bich
This quote highlights the power of education in combating intolerance, but I think the message also raises an important question about the scope of influence. While educating a small group may change lives, is it enough to tackle the deeply ingrained hatred and division in our societies? Can we balance the long-term impact of education with the immediate urgency of fighting bigotry? What other steps can we take to amplify the effects of education?
QCPham Thi Que Chi
I appreciate Susan B. Anthony’s emphasis on education, but I wonder if this quote oversimplifies the complexity of social change. While educating a few may create a ripple effect, can’t mass movements also play a role in spreading ideas of tolerance? Is it realistic to expect that educating only ten women will lead to the same impact as organizing a thousand people against bigotry? What other methods could complement this educational approach for greater societal change?
BLbach ly
Susan B. Anthony’s perspective is so relevant today, given the rise in polarized political views. It makes me think about how powerful education is in shaping minds. But I wonder, can we really reach people on a wide scale by focusing on just a small group of individuals? Would it be more effective to combine education with grassroots activism to tackle intolerance and bigotry head-on, especially in a world that feels increasingly divided?
TBTran Tran Bao
I love how Susan B. Anthony emphasizes education over organizing for intolerance. It’s a call to focus on nurturing thoughtful, open-minded individuals rather than fueling division. But how do we measure the effectiveness of educating just a few versus mobilizing many? Wouldn’t it be more impactful if both strategies—education and large-scale organizing—worked hand in hand? Is there a risk that focusing too much on education alone could leave too many behind?