---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The distribution of wealth is not…"
description: "\"The distribution of wealth is not determined by nature. It is determined by policy.\" — Eric Schneiderman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg"
---

#  The distribution of wealth is not determined by nature. It…

![“The distribution of wealth is not determined by nature. It is determined by policy.” quote by Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg)

> “The distribution of wealth is not determined by nature. It is determined by policy.”

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

## About This Quote

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

Wealth distribution results from human decisions, not natural law, highlighting the power of governance.

**In simple terms:** Policy decides wealth gaps.

Key Takeaway

Advocate fair policies.

Themes

economics politics inequality

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

- government budgeting
- tax reform
- social welfare programs
- public debate
- education funding

Key Concepts

social justice public policy wealth dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- Who can influence wealth policy?
- What policies reduce inequality?

A Different Perspective

Policy changes can be slow and face resistance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Distribution of wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distribution-of-wealth/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/)

## Related quotes

> [We must work together to ensure the equitable distribution of wealth, opportunity and power in our society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/we-must-work-together-to-ensure-the-equitable-distribution-of-wealth/)

[Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/)

> [A science is said to be useful if its development tends to accentuate the existing inequalities in the distribution of wealth, or more directly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-h-hardy/a-science-is-said-to-be-useful-if-its-development-tends-to-accentuate/)

[G. H. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-h-hardy/)

> [It comes as no surprise that average Americans have a different perception of the economy than (US President) George W. Bush and his friends.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-rogoff/it-comes-as-no-surprise-that-average-americans-have-a-different/)

[Kenneth Rogoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-rogoff/)

> [The laws and conditions of the production of wealth partake of the character of physical truths. There is nothing optional or arbitrary in them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-laws-and-conditions-of-the-production-of-wealth-partake-of-the/)

[John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/)

> [The need for de-development presents our economists with a major challenge. They must design a stable, low-consumption economy in which there is a much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-holdren/the-need-for-de-development-presents-our-economists-with-a-major/)

[John Holdren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-holdren/)

> [The uneven distribution of wealth in the world is due to the uneven distribution of capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-norberg/the-uneven-distribution-of-wealth-in-the-world-is-due-to-the-uneven/)

[Johan Norberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-norberg/)

> [The massive upward distribution of wealth engineered by our political class over the last few decades has solidified the plutocratic control of the rule-making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/the-massive-upward-distribution-of-wealth-engineered-by-our-political/)

[Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/)

> [Moving to a cooperatively organized enterprise is one of the best ways to really do something about unequal distribution of wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-wolff/moving-to-a-cooperatively-organized-enterprise-is-one-of-the-best/)

[Richard D. Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-d-wolff/)

> [The real scientific study of the distribution of wealth has, we must confess, scarcely begun. The conventional academic study of the so-called theory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-fisher/the-real-scientific-study-of-the-distribution-of-wealth-has-we-must/)

[Irving Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-fisher/)

> [As mass production has to be accompanied by mass consumption, mass consumption, in turn, implies a distribution of wealth ... to provide men with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marriner-stoddard-eccles/as-mass-production-has-to-be-accompanied-by-mass-consumption-mass/)

Marriner Stoddard Eccles

> [The distribution of wealth is even more unequal than that of income. ...The wealthiest 5% of American households held 54% of all wealth reported…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/the-distribution-of-wealth-is-even-more-unequal-than-that-of-income/)

[Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/)

> [If our economic system is to survive, there has to be a better distribution of wealth ... we can't have a system where some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/if-our-economic-system-is-to-survive-there-has-to-be-a-better/)

[Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/)

> [Organized labor is the only way to have fair distribution of wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-huerta/organized-labor-is-the-only-way-to-have-fair-distribution-of-wealth/)

[Dolores Huerta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-huerta/)

> [The distribution of wealth is just as important as its creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-randolph-hearst/the-distribution-of-wealth-is-just-as-important-as-its-creation/)

[William Randolph Hearst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-randolph-hearst/)

> [Wealth is not determined by investment performance, but by investor behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-murray/wealth-is-not-determined-by-investment-performance-but-by-investor/)

[Nick Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-murray/)

## More by Eric Schneiderman

> [I'm going to go after crime and corruption wherever it is. But I did focus particularly on the need to restore public confidence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/i-m-going-to-go-after-crime-and-corruption-wherever-it-is-but-i-did/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [Prosecutors are all used to people who commit fraud making wild accusations when they're caught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/prosecutors-are-all-used-to-people-who-commit-fraud-making-wild/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [Ninety-five percent of the work in the attorney general's office is civil litigation and regulatory work, and I think I certainly have a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/ninety-five-percent-of-the-work-in-the-attorney-general-s-office-is/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [You wanna know people are held accountable if they engage in misconduct and that no one is above the law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/you-wanna-know-people-are-held-accountable-if-they-engage-in/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [I don't like conflicts of interest; they should be eliminated or disclosed. I believe in transparency: that people have to really not just know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/i-don-t-like-conflicts-of-interest-they-should-be-eliminated-or/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [The scientific community, public health officials, and others have raised serious doubt about the steps taken to ensure the safety and efficacy of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/the-scientific-community-public-health-officials-and-others-have/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [High-frequency traders are firms all around the world. They're massive investments. And there is an incredible race for speed now. People are paying hundreds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/high-frequency-traders-are-firms-all-around-the-world-they-re-massive/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

> [ I think if he \[Donald Trump\] goes to the super bowl, he thinks the guys in the huddle are talking about him. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/i-think-if-he-donald-trump-goes-to-the-super-bowl-he-thinks-the-guys/)

[Eric Schneiderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

[Explore all 9 Eric Schneiderman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/)

## More Determined quotes

> [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Ignorance is not bliss — it is oblivion. Determined ignorance is the hastiest kind of oblivion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-wylie/ignorance-is-not-bliss-it-is-oblivion-determined-ignorance-is-the/)

[Philip Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-wylie/)

> [I was determined to be an actor and make a name in the industry, and hence, I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawazuddin-siddiqui/i-was-determined-to-be-an-actor-and-make-a-name-in-the-industry-and/)

[Nawazuddin Siddiqui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawazuddin-siddiqui/)

> [Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/always-remember-there-is-more-strength-in-you-than-you-ever-realized/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

> [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/)

[Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/)

> [Early experience shapes the structure and function of the brain. This reveals the fundamental way in which gene expression is determined by experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-j-siegel/early-experience-shapes-the-structure-and-function-of-the-brain-this/)

[Daniel J. Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-j-siegel/)

> [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/)

J. Willard Gibbs

> [The more we sense...our ultimate potential, the more determined we become to achieve it. It's the difference between your mother hounding you to practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/the-more-we-sense-our-ultimate-potential-the-more-determined-we/)

[Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/)

> [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [Further conceive, I beg, that a stone, while continuing in motion, should be capable of thinking and knowing, that it is endeavoring, as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/further-conceive-i-beg-that-a-stone-while-continuing-in-motion-should/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Your success will be determined by the quality of your relationships with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/your-success-will-be-determined-by-the-quality-of-your-relationships/)

[Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/)

> [I've always been competitive and determined. It's part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-ve-always-been-competitive-and-determined-it-s-part-of-my/)

[Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/)

> [We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, Our Flag will be recognized throughout the World as a symbol of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-marshall/we-are-determined-that-before-the-sun-sets-on-this-terrible-struggle/)

[George C. Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-marshall/)

> [I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-washington/i-am-still-determined-to-be-cheerful-and-happy-in-whatever-situation/)

[Martha Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-washington/)

[Browse all 2,245 Determined quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The distribution of wealth is not determined by nature. It is determined by policy.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Eric Schneiderman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determined-by-nature-it-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Determined"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determined-by-nature-it-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e39/eric-schneiderman-45670_determined_the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determ_2777801.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The distribution of wealth is not determined by nature. It is determined by policy.” — Eric Schneiderman",
                "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": "Eric Schneiderman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schneiderman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The distribution of wealth is not...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determined-by-nature-it-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schneiderman/the-distribution-of-wealth-is-not-determined-by-nature-it-is/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
