You must obey this now for a law, that he that will not…
“You must obey this now for a law, that he that will not work shall not eat (except by sickness he be disabled). For the labors of thirty or forty honest and industrious men shall not be consumed to maintain a hundred and fifty idle loiterers.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage warns that those who do not work will not be fed, except through illness, and that laborers should not support idle people.
In simple terms: Work is required for sustenance; idle people shouldn't rely on others.
Key Takeaway
Value productive labor and avoid supporting idleness.
Themes
work ethic
fairness
social responsibility
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- employment
- social welfare
- community support
- policy making
Key Concepts
economic justice
labor value
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it fair to punish the idle?
- How can societies balance work and support?
A Different Perspective
It assumes a simplistic view of complex socioeconomic systems.