If at any time all labour should cease, and all existing…
“If at any time all labour should cease, and all existing provisions be equally divided among the people, at the end of a single year there could scarcely be one human being left alive--all would have perished by want of subsistence.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that if all labor stopped and resources were split equally, humanity would quickly die from lack of food, highlighting the necessity of work for survival.
In simple terms: Work is essential for survival; equal division alone fails.
Key Takeaway
Ensure productive labor continues.
Themes
economics
survival
labor
resource distribution
human nature
Mood
cautionary
thought‑provoking
Type
economic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy planning
- resource management
- education on work ethic
- community support programs
- economic modeling
Key Concepts
scarcity
labor value
population dynamics
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- Can societies survive without traditional labor?
- What alternatives could prevent scarcity?
A Different Perspective
Ignores potential technological solutions to food production.