Skip to content

These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in…

“These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert to fleece the people, and now that they have got into a quarrel with themselves, we are called upon to appropriate the people's money to settle the quarrel.” quote by Abraham Lincoln
Download Open image
“These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert to fleece the people, and now that they have got into a quarrel with themselves, we are called upon to appropriate the people's money to settle the quarrel.”

Abraham Lincoln

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 criticizes colluding capitalists who exploit the public and then turn their internal conflicts into a pretext for the public to fund their disputes.

In simple terms: Capitalists exploit people and use their fights to take more money.

Key Takeaway

Beware of letting private conflicts become public costs.

Themes

capitalism exploitation politics public finance conflict

Mood

cautious critical skeptical

Type

political economic warning

When to use this quote

  • tax policy debates
  • labor negotiations
  • public infrastructure funding
  • political campaigns

Key Concepts

economic manipulation elite collusion public burden

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we distinguish legitimate public expenditure from exploitation?
  • What safeguards can prevent private disputes from burdening taxpayers?
A Different Perspective

The statement may oversimplify complex economic dynamics and ignore legitimate public spending needs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Abraham Lincoln

Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes

More Capitalism quotes

Browse all 3,832 Capitalism quotes