Altered Quote by F. A. Harper
“It seems that wherever the Welfare State is involved, the moral precept, "Thou shalt not steal," becomes altered to say: "Thou shalt not steal, except for what thou deemest to be a worthy cause, where thou thinkest that thou canst use the loot for a better purpose than wouldst the victim of the theft."”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Ethics of Redistribution, F. A. Harper, 2003
The author argues that welfare systems twist the moral rule against theft, allowing theft for perceived noble causes.
In simple terms: Welfare can justify theft for a “greater good.”
Key Takeaway
Question moral boundaries of redistribution.
Themes
ethics
politics
welfare
theft
justice
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- government aid
- charitable theft
- civil disobedience
- political debate
Key Concepts
Moral relativism
social contract
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it acceptable to break a moral rule?
- Who decides what is a “worthy cause”?
A Different Perspective
Justifying theft can erode trust in law.
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