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If the laborer gets no more than the wages which his…

“If the laborer gets no more than the wages which his employer pays him, he is cheated, he cheats himself.” quote by Henry David Thoreau
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“If the laborer gets no more than the wages which his employer pays him, he is cheated, he cheats himself.”

Henry David Thoreau

About This Quote

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

If wages equal only basic pay, workers self‑cheat by accepting unfairness.

In simple terms: Unfair wages harm both parties.

Key Takeaway

Seek fair compensation.

Themes

fair wages self‑respect labor rights

Mood

determined critical

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • employment contracts
  • union negotiations
  • personal finance

Key Concepts

economics ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What defines a fair wage?
  • How to balance employer constraints?
A Different Perspective

Market forces can limit fairness.

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