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About this quote

What does it mean?
Eliminating illiteracy is presented as essential for the nation to achieve its potential among enlightened countries.
In plain terms
We must end illiteracy to become a leading nation.
What can you take from it?
Education is foundational to national progress.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • reform efforts
  • national planning

Putting it to work

  • promoting literacy
  • setting national goals
  • investing in schools

Questions to consider

  • What defines an enlightened nation?
  • Is literacy enough for progress?

Another view

Focus on literacy may ignore other barriers to progress like inequality.

More from William McKinley

  1. I have never been in doubt since I was old enough to think intelligently that I would someday be made President.

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  2. Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not in conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war.

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  3. When the history of his time is written he will stand forth as the great figure in the years which have been so crowded with events. He gained the entire confi…

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