--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But then it is easy, too easy, to…" description: "\"“But then it is easy, too easy, to sermonize about the dangers of paternalism and the need to take responsibility for our own lives, from the comfort o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg" --- # But then it is easy, too easy, to sermonize about the… ![“But then it is easy, too easy, to sermonize about the dangers of paternalism and the need to take responsibility for our own lives, from the comfort of our couch in our safe and sanitary home. Aren't we, those who live in the rich world, the constant beneficiaries of a paternalism now so…” quote by Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg) > ““But then it is easy, too easy, to sermonize about the dangers of paternalism and the need to take responsibility for our own lives, from the comfort of our couch in our safe and sanitary home. Aren't we, those who live in the rich world, the constant beneficiaries of a paternalism now so thoroughly embedded into the system that we hardly notice it?”” [Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The critique points out that privileged societies often overlook their own paternalistic structures while condemning them elsewhere. **In simple terms:** Blind spots in privileged societies. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge hidden paternalism. Themes privilege paternalism social critique awareness Mood critical provocative Type essay social commentary When to use this quote - policy analysis - social activism - education reform - personal reflection Key Concepts critical theory systemic bias Questions to Reflect On - How does your comfort enable complacency? - What steps can you take to expose hidden paternalism? A Different Perspective Comfort can mask systemic injustice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beneficiaries Paternalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneficiaries-paternalism-5444853/) [Dangers Paternalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangers-paternalism-5444850/) [Paternalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paternalism/) [Paternalism Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paternalism-need-5444852/) [Paternalism Thoroughly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paternalism-thoroughly-5444851/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Skeptics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptics/) [Too easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-easy/) ## Related quotes > [Paternalism is everywhere in our lives. We have to immunise our children unless we are upset about it. In India, it is the opposite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-duflo/paternalism-is-everywhere-in-our-lives-we-have-to-immunise-our/) [Esther Duflo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-duflo/) > [There is a perversion, much practised in Hollywood movies, that might be called sado-paternalism, whereby a surrogate father treats a gifted but difficult pupil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-french/there-is-a-perversion-much-practised-in-hollywood-movies-that-might/) [Philip French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-french/) > [Libya is a war of the womb. A product of the romantic minds of women who fantasize about an Arab awakening. It is estrogen-driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/libya-is-a-war-of-the-womb-a-product-of-the-romantic-minds-of-women/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [“Self-reliance and independence can transform into selfishness and license, ambition into greed and a frantic desire to succeed at any cost. More than once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/self-reliance-and-independence-can-transform-into-selfishness-and/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The question is whether NGOs that bring protection or aid or reparation therapies are furthering the possibility of self-determination or extending a form of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/the-question-is-whether-ngos-that-bring-protection-or-aid-or/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“Libertarian paternalism is a relatively weak, soft, and nonintrusive type of paternalism because choices are not blocked, fenced off, or significantly burdened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/libertarian-paternalism-is-a-relatively-weak-soft-and-nonintrusive-2/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [The paternalism of the Conservative party is breathtaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/the-paternalism-of-the-conservative-party-is-breathtaking/) [Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/) > [“The first is that seemingly small features of social situations can have massive effects on people’s behavior; nudges are everywhere, even if we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/the-first-is-that-seemingly-small-features-of-social-situations-can/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [We should know why paternalism, collectivism, or unnecessary federal supervision will hold our standard of living down and reduce productivity just as it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/we-should-know-why-paternalism-collectivism-or-unnecessary-federal/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [A Progressive is one who is in favor of more taxes instead of less, more bureaus and jobholders, more paternalism and meddling, more regulation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/a-progressive-is-one-who-is-in-favor-of-more-taxes-instead-of-less/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [We may as well face the fact, and face it squarely, that we are too much governed. The agencies of government have multiplied, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-h-hartley/we-may-as-well-face-the-fact-and-face-it-squarely-that-we-are-too/) [Roland H. Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-h-hartley/) > [“Libertarian paternalism is a relatively weak, soft, and nonintrusive type of paternalism because choices are not blocked, fenced off, or significantly burdened. If people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/libertarian-paternalism-is-a-relatively-weak-soft-and-nonintrusive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The lessons of paternalism ought to be unlearned and the better lesson taught that while people should patriotically and cheerfully support their Government its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-cleveland/the-lessons-of-paternalism-ought-to-be-unlearned-and-the-better/) [Grover Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-cleveland/) > [“Selective paternalism, for those on low incomes or for other groups needing state assistance, is perhaps even worse than general paternalism, since the minority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/selective-paternalism-for-those-on-low-incomes-or-for-other-groups/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [The question about progress has become the question whether we can discover any way of submitting to the worldwide paternalism of a technocracy without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-question-about-progress-has-become-the-question-whether-we-can/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## More by Abhijit V. Banerjee > [“We must arm ourselves with patience and wisdom and listen to the poor what they want. This is the best way to avoid the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/we-must-arm-ourselves-with-patience-and-wisdom-and-listen-to-the-poor/) [Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) > [“For each successful entrepreneur in the Silicon Valley or elsewhere, many have had to fail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/for-each-successful-entrepreneur-in-the-silicon-valley-or-elsewhere/) [Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) > [“The point is simple: talking about the problems of the world without talking about some accessible solutions is the way to paralysis rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/the-point-is-simple-talking-about-the-problems-of-the-world-without/) [Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) > [“Awareness of our problems thus does not necessarily mean that they get solved. It may just mean that we are able to perfectly anticipate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/awareness-of-our-problems-thus-does-not-necessarily-mean-that-they/) [Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) > [“It might therefore be better for the decentralization to be designed by a centralized authority, with the interest of the less advantaged or less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/it-might-therefore-be-better-for-the-decentralization-to-be-designed/) [Abhijit V. Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) [Explore all 6 Abhijit V. Banerjee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/) ## More Paternalism quotes > [Paternalism is everywhere in our lives. We have to immunise our children unless we are upset about it. In India, it is the opposite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-duflo/paternalism-is-everywhere-in-our-lives-we-have-to-immunise-our/) [Esther Duflo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-duflo/) > [“Selective paternalism, for those on low incomes or for other groups needing state assistance, is perhaps even worse than general paternalism, since the minority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/selective-paternalism-for-those-on-low-incomes-or-for-other-groups/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [The lessons of paternalism ought to be unlearned and the better lesson taught that while people should patriotically and cheerfully support their Government its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-cleveland/the-lessons-of-paternalism-ought-to-be-unlearned-and-the-better/) [Grover Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-cleveland/) > [“Libertarian paternalism is a relatively weak, soft, and nonintrusive type of paternalism because choices are not blocked, fenced off, or significantly burdened. If people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/libertarian-paternalism-is-a-relatively-weak-soft-and-nonintrusive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We may as well face the fact, and face it squarely, that we are too much governed. The agencies of government have multiplied, their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-h-hartley/we-may-as-well-face-the-fact-and-face-it-squarely-that-we-are-too/) [Roland H. Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-h-hartley/) > [A Progressive is one who is in favor of more taxes instead of less, more bureaus and jobholders, more paternalism and meddling, more regulation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/a-progressive-is-one-who-is-in-favor-of-more-taxes-instead-of-less/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [We should know why paternalism, collectivism, or unnecessary federal supervision will hold our standard of living down and reduce productivity just as it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/we-should-know-why-paternalism-collectivism-or-unnecessary-federal/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“The first is that seemingly small features of social situations can have massive effects on people’s behavior; nudges are everywhere, even if we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/the-first-is-that-seemingly-small-features-of-social-situations-can/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [The paternalism of the Conservative party is breathtaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-fox/the-paternalism-of-the-conservative-party-is-breathtaking/) [Claire Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-fox/) > [“Libertarian paternalism is a relatively weak, soft, and nonintrusive type of paternalism because choices are not blocked, fenced off, or significantly burdened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/libertarian-paternalism-is-a-relatively-weak-soft-and-nonintrusive-2/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [The question is whether NGOs that bring protection or aid or reparation therapies are furthering the possibility of self-determination or extending a form of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/the-question-is-whether-ngos-that-bring-protection-or-aid-or/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) > [“Self-reliance and independence can transform into selfishness and license, ambition into greed and a frantic desire to succeed at any cost. More than once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/self-reliance-and-independence-can-transform-into-selfishness-and/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Libya is a war of the womb. A product of the romantic minds of women who fantasize about an Arab awakening. It is estrogen-driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/libya-is-a-war-of-the-womb-a-product-of-the-romantic-minds-of-women/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [There is a perversion, much practised in Hollywood movies, that might be called sado-paternalism, whereby a surrogate father treats a gifted but difficult pupil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-french/there-is-a-perversion-much-practised-in-hollywood-movies-that-might/) [Philip French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-french/) > [The question about progress has become the question whether we can discover any way of submitting to the worldwide paternalism of a technocracy without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-question-about-progress-has-become-the-question-whether-we-can/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) [Browse all 32 Paternalism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paternalism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But then it is easy, too easy, to sermonize about the dangers of paternalism and the need to take responsibility for our own lives, from the comfort of our couch in our safe and sanitary home. Aren't we, those who live in the rich world, the constant beneficiaries of a paternalism now so thoroughly embedded into the system that we hardly notice it?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abhijit V. Banerjee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermonize-about-the-dangers-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Paternalism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermonize-about-the-dangers-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bd/abhijit-v-banerjee-53650_paternalism_but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermoniz_1490028.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“But then it is easy, too easy, to sermonize about the dangers of paternalism and the need to take…” — Abhijit V. Banerjee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abhijit V. Banerjee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-v-banerjee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“But then it is easy, too...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermonize-about-the-dangers-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-v-banerjee/but-then-it-is-easy-too-easy-to-sermonize-about-the-dangers-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```