The prosperity of a people is proportionate to the number…
“The prosperity of a people is proportionate to the number of hands and minds usefully employed. To the community, sedition is a fever, corruption is a gangrene, and idleness is an atrophy. Whatever body or society wastes more than it acquires, must gradually decay, and every being that continues to be fed, and eases to labor, takes away something from the public stock.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societal health depends on productive participation; idleness, corruption, and sedition erode collective wealth.
In simple terms: Productivity sustains society; idleness harms it.
Key Takeaway
Encourage active contribution.
Themes
productivity
society
corruption
idleness
decay
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- workforce planning
- public policy
- community building
- education reform
- anti‑corruption measures
Key Concepts
social contract
collective responsibility
economic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance individual freedom with societal duty?
- What incentives best promote meaningful work?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all labor is equally valuable and may overlook quality vs. quantity.