--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In my youth, I traveled much, and I…" description: "\"In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/benjamin-franklin-65_contrary_in-my-youth-i-traveled-much-and-i-observ_2673171.png" --- # In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different… ![“In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/benjamin-franklin-65_contrary_in-my-youth-i-traveled-much-and-i-observ_2673171.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/benjamin-franklin-65_contrary_in-my-youth-i-traveled-much-and-i-observ_2673171.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c5/benjamin-franklin-65_contrary_in-my-youth-i-traveled-much-and-i-observ_2673171.png) > “In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Providing for the poor can create dependency, whereas minimal aid encourages self‑reliance and prosperity. **In simple terms:** Too much aid may cause dependency. Key Takeaway Encourage self‑reliance. Themes poverty aid dependency self‑reliance Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical policy When to use this quote - government programs - charity - community development - null Key Concepts economics social policy Questions to Reflect On - How can aid be structured to promote independence? - What examples show successful self‑reliance? A Different Perspective Complex factors affect outcomes beyond aid levels. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Different countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-countries/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [“I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-think-the-best-way-of-doing-good-to-the-poor-is-not-making-them/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“I am for doing good to the poor, but...I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-am-for-doing-good-to-the-poor-but-i-think-the-best-way-of-doing/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [ \[T\]he more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer . . . \[taking\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/t-he-more-public-provisions-were-made-for-the-poor-the-less-they/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“The harder you work, the poorer you become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-cooper/the-harder-you-work-the-poorer-you-become/) Nigel Cooper > [We had poverty in our house. 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