Instead of giving money to found colleges to promote learning, why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as good as the Prohibition one did, why, in five years we would have the smartest race of people on earth.

The quote by Will Rogers, “Instead of giving money to found colleges to promote learning, why don’t they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as good as the Prohibition one did, why, in five years we would have the smartest race of people on earth,” uses satire and humor to critique societal attitudes towards education and prohibition. Rogers, a famed humorist and social commentator, is pointing out the irony in how people may treat learning and education in a way that hinders progress, much like the failed Prohibition movement.

Rogers draws a comparison between learning and Prohibition, both of which he suggests are seen in terms of societal control. Prohibition was the nationwide ban on alcohol in the United States, which, instead of curbing consumption, led to unintended consequences. By joking that if society “prohibited” learning, it would somehow lead to a more intelligent population, Rogers emphasizes the absurdity of over-controlling what should be freely accessible and encouraged, such as education.

Through this sarcastic statement, Rogers is highlighting how restricting access to learning or stifling intellectual development is counterproductive. The underlying critique is that, by funding colleges or promoting learning, society should be fostering growth and creativity, rather than limiting opportunities. His commentary points to the importance of education and free thought in cultivating a knowledgeable, informed, and progressive society.

In essence, Will Rogers uses humor and exaggeration to make a deeper point about the value of education and the dangers of restrictive policies. His words suggest that trying to suppress knowledge or intellectual freedom, as Prohibition did with alcohol, would have the opposite effect of creating an enlightened society. Instead, Rogers advocates for an open, accessible approach to learning, where intellectual growth is seen as key to societal progress.