Age Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“And, inasmuch [as] most good things are produced by labour, it follows that all such things of right belong to those whose labour has produced them. But it has so happened in all ages of the world, that some have laboured, and others have, without labour, enjoyed a large proportion of the fruits. This is wrong, and should not continue. To [secure] to each labourer the whole product of his labour, or as nearly as possible, is a most worthy object of any good government.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: "Labor and Equality", 1865
He argues that labor should receive the full fruits of its work, condemning the historic injustice where some profit without effort, and calls for government to protect workers’ rights.
In simple terms: Workers deserve the full product of their labor.
Ensure fair distribution of labor’s rewards.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- wage negotiations
- tax reform
- social welfare programs
- union organizing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies best secure workers’ share of production?
- How can societies balance incentives with fairness?
Implementation may face strong opposition from entrenched interests.