"The single greatest tool of oppression is…

“The single greatest tool of oppression is ignorance” (or “Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression”) is a saying that has been printed on many images.

A discussion by fataz on Club Chopper Forum on November 9, 2005 discussed Thorin’s (Thorin Oakenshield, a fictional character in the 1937 novel The Hobbit) quote of “Educatio est omnium efficacissima forma rebellionis,” or in English, “Education is the most effective form of rebellion.” The discussion ended with “Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression,” although this does not appear to be a Thorin quote.

“Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression” was printed in the book Intimate Danger (2007) by Amy J. Fetzer. “‘Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression’-Thorin” was posted on Twitter by Jacquie Dale on July 9, 2012.

“The single greatest tool of oppression is, ignorance” was posted on Twitter by ♕Medusa on April 8, 2013. “The single greatest tool of oppression is ignorance” was posted on Twitter by Murder Junkie ‎⎊ on April 9, 2013. This version of the saying was popularized by an image.

Wikipedia: Thorin Oakenshield
Thorin Oakenshield is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel The Hobbit. Thorin is the leader of the Company of Dwarves who aim to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug the dragon.

Club Chopper Forum
fataz
11-09-2005, 12:26 AM
(...)
“Educatio est omnium efficacissima forma rebellionis” which is scripted in Latin. The English translation means “Education is the most effective form of rebellion”. The moral of Thorin’s quote is that much more can be accomplished with a book rather than a bat. The system itself cannot be beaten by simply dropping out and having a middle finger attitude. To truly make a difference, you need not only angst, but also a firm foundation on what makes the system what it is. Past revolutionaries (Che, King Jr, Gandhi….) all knew how to use the system to their advantage and bring about change. Society loves stupid people because they are so easy to control. To truly make a difference organize with the tools that truly bring about change: Education and Unity. The sheep (people in general) are force feed crap everyday via the media. Unfortunately they take it all in with their mouths open wide. The uneducated cannot tell the difference between truth and lie, instead they tend to believe everything that is broadcasted without even questioning it. Everyday the system is unjust and unfair. Without education, and unity, this massive corporate lobbied tax hijacked machine can never be re-tooled. It is up to YOU to make the changes needed to improve YOUR society. It is time to stand for what you believe in, and be heard. Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression.

Google Books
Intimate Danger
By Amy J. Fetzer
New York, NY: Kensington Publishing Corporation
2007
Pg. 142:
Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression.

Misanthrope (March 2007)
MONDAY
Educatio est omnium efficacissima forma rebellionis
“Educatio est omnium efficacissima forma rebellionis” which is scripted in Latin. The English translation means “Education is the most effective form of rebellion”.

The moral of Thorin’s quote is that much more can be accomplished with a book rather than a bat. The system itself cannot be beaten by simply dropping out and having a middle finger attitude.
(...)
The uneducated cannot tell the difference between truth and lie, instead they tend to believe everything that is broadcasted without even questioning it. Everyday the system is unjust and unfair.

Without education, and unity, this massive corporate lobbied tax hijacked machine can never be re-tooled. It is up to YOU to make the changes needed to improve YOUR society. It is time to stand for what you believe in, and be heard. Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression.
POSTED BY MISSANTHROPEE AT 7:07 PM

Twitter
Jacquie Dale
@Jacquie34
“Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression”-Thorin
10:53 AM · Jul 9, 2012·Twitter SMS

Twitter
kane
@darknite1001
Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression
3:13 PM · Jul 14, 2012·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Ben Hawk
@HawkFlooring
IGNORANCE is the single greatest tool of OPPRESSION.
7:07 PM · Aug 4, 2012·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Jacquie Dale
@Jacquie34
“Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression.”-Thorin
1:29 PM · Oct 27, 2012·Twitter SMS

Twitter
♕Medusa
@AitchhTee
“The single greatest tool of oppression is, ignorance”. #quote.
9:55 AM · Apr 8, 2013·Twitter for Andr

Twitter
Murder Junkie ‎⎊
@Whateverill
The single greatest tool of oppression is ignorance.
9:11 AM · Apr 9, 2013·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Lori #RightMatters #JusticeIsComing
@lmhoeper
The single greatest tool of oppression… #ignorance #foxnews
(This saying is also shown on an image.—ed.)
7:59 AM · Apr 11, 2013·Twitter for Android

Google Books
Things Explained as They Are: A National To Do List:
The Ramblings of An Average Person
By David Rhodes
Indianapolis, IN: Dog Ear Publishing
2015
Pg. 95:
The single greatest tool of oppression is ignorance.
(This saying is also shown on an image.—ed.)

Twitter
Steven Singer
@StevenSinger3
The single greatest tool of oppression is ignorance.
(This saying is also shown on an image.—ed.)
@Lily_NEA #ignorance #oppression #standup4kids #schooldistricts
5:55 PM · Nov 14, 2015·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Black People Movement
@OpinionMyIn
The single greatest tool of oppression is ignorance..
1:09 PM · Sep 8, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Tina Mucci
@MucciTina
‘Ignorance is the single greatest tool of oppression.’
6:39 PM · Jan 15, 2021·Twitter for iPhone