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And having looked to Government for bread, on the very…

“And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them.” quote by Edmund Burke
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“And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them.”

Edmund Burke

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often rebel against those who once helped them when resources become scarce.

In simple terms: Dependence can turn to hostility when supplies run low.

Key Takeaway

Beware of creating dependency without sustainable support.

Themes

politics dependency rebellion

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • government aid programs
  • community resource management
  • political campaigns
  • economic crises

Key Concepts

social contract resource scarcity trust erosion

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can leaders maintain trust during shortages?
  • What systems prevent dependency from becoming resentment?
A Different Perspective

The quote assumes scarcity is inevitable; cooperation can mitigate conflict.

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