Question

from a voice from the south
a nation cannot rise higher than its source. the atmosphere of homes is too vocal of families. the nation is the aggregate of its homes. as the whole is the sum of all its parts, so the character of the parts will determine the characteristics of the whole. these are all axioms, and so evident that it seems gratuitous to remark it, and yet, unless i am greatly mistaken, most of the unsatisfaction from our past results arises from just such a radical and palpable error.
( from a voice from the south by anna julia cooper)
anna j. cooper, 1858 - 1964
we or does the author mean by \the source\ of the nation? which of the parts will determine the characteristics of the whole?

1. obscure pieces which will be perfectly to make something complete.
2. starting with a desired result helps where what needs to be done first.
3. knowing where something comes from is the key to understanding it.
4. a final outcome will have similarities to the elements used to achieve it.

Explanation:

The author states "the character of the parts will determine the characteristics of the whole" and frames this as an axiom, comparing a nation (whole) to its families (parts). This matches the idea that understanding the source/parts (where something comes from) is key to understanding the whole.

Answer:

1. knowing where something comes from is the key to understanding it.