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People reared in workhouses, as you are aware, are no…

“People reared in workhouses, as you are aware, are no great acquisition to the community and they have no ideas whatsoever of civic responsibilities. As a rule their highest aim is to live at the expense of the ratepayers. Consequently, it would be a decided gain if they all took it into their…” quote by W. T. Cosgrave
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“People reared in workhouses, as you are aware, are no great acquisition to the community and they have no ideas whatsoever of civic responsibilities. As a rule their highest aim is to live at the expense of the ratepayers. Consequently, it would be a decided gain if they all took it into their heads to emigrate. When they go abroad they are thrown on their own responsibilities and have to work whether they like it or not.”

W. T. Cosgrave

About This Quote

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

The speaker criticizes workhouse residents as burdens, urging emigration to relieve public costs, implying they lack civic duty.

In simple terms: Workhouses are portrayed as a drain on society, urging them to leave.

Key Takeaway

Promote empathy and social responsibility.

Themes

poverty social policy civic duty emigration public finance

Mood

critical somber analytical

Type

Acquisition:0 Aim:0 Civic responsibility:1 Civics:0 Community:0 Decided:0 Expenses:0 Gains:0 Highest:0 Ideas:0 Ifs:0 No idea:0 People:1 Responsibility:1 Thrown:0 Workhouses:1 Would be:0 Reared Workhouses:0 People Reared:0 Ratepayers Consequently:0 Heads Emigrate:0 Emigrate Abroad:0

When to use this quote

  • policy debate
  • historical analysis
  • social reform

Key Concepts

responsibility social welfare economic burden

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies better support vulnerable populations?
  • What responsibilities do citizens have to each other?
A Different Perspective

Oversimplifies complex socioeconomic issues.

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