Is not that government both unjust and ungrateful, that is…
““Is not that government both unjust and ungrateful, that is so prodigal of its favours to those that are called gentlemen, or goldsmiths, or such others who are idle, or live either by flattery or by contriving the arts of vain pleasure, and, on the other hand, takes no care of those of a meaner sort, such as ploughmen, colliers, and smiths, without whom it could not subsist?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The government favors the idle elite while neglecting the working class that sustains society.
In simple terms: Rich get favors, poor ignored.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for equitable policies.
Themes
politics
social justice
economics
class disparity
government criticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
Art:1
Politics:1
Government Unjust:1
Ungrateful Prodigal:0
Unjust Ungrateful:0
Prodigal Favours:0
Gentlemen Goldsmiths:0
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- labor rights activism
- community organizing
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
elitism
distribution of resources
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How might policies balance elite privileges with workers’ needs?
- What are the risks of neglecting essential laborers?
A Different Perspective
A government cannot solely favor one class without destabilizing the whole.