Composer Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“We should make the poor uncomfortable and kick them out of poverty.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to a friend, 1750
Franklin suggests that making the poor uncomfortable is a catalyst for them to leave poverty, implying discomfort can drive change
In simple terms: Discomfort may motivate the poor to escape poverty
Key Takeaway
Create conditions that encourage self‑improvement among the disadvantaged
Themes
poverty
social policy
motivation
ethics
change
Mood
critical
provocative
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- housing policy
- education programs
- employment initiatives
- community outreach
Key Concepts
Behavioral economics
social responsibility
empowerment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we address systemic barriers while encouraging personal agency?
- What supportive measures complement motivational pressure?
A Different Perspective
Discomfort alone may ignore structural causes of poverty
