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Gradually, you can deprive him of these; and for every…

“Gradually, you can deprive him of these; and for every hundred thousand productive laborers he loses, you may have a hundred thousand soldiers.” quote by Robert Owen
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“Gradually, you can deprive him of these; and for every hundred thousand productive laborers he loses, you may have a hundred thousand soldiers.”

Robert Owen

About This Quote

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

He suggests that removing essential comforts can turn workers into soldiers, implying a link between deprivation and militarization.

In simple terms: Depriving workers can create soldiers.

Key Takeaway

Beware of exploiting labor for war.

Themes

power militarization economics

Mood

critical serious

Type

political historical

When to use this quote

  • industrial labor
  • military recruitment
  • colonial exploitation

Key Concepts

social control resource allocation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are ethical limits of using labor for military ends?
  • How does deprivation affect morale?
A Different Perspective

The claim oversimplifies complex social dynamics.

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