Quote by Benjamin Franklin
I am for doing good to the poor, but...I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. I observed...that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.
Summary
This quote suggests that while it is important to assist the poor, simply providing them with material support may not be the most effective approach. The author argues that creating an environment where the poor are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty is a better solution. They observed that when extensive public provisions were made, the poor became increasingly reliant and less self-sufficient, consequently remaining in poverty. Conversely, when less assistance was given, individuals were motivated to take initiative and improve their own circumstances, resulting in increased wealth. This quote encourages a shift towards enabling and empowering the poor rather than fostering dependency.
Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.
