--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now since man is naturally inclined to…" description: "\"Now since man is naturally inclined to avoid pain - and since labor is pain in itself - it follows that men will resort to plunder whenever plunder is ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dd/frederic-bastiat-2151_conditions_now-since-man-is-naturally-inclined-to-a_2064446.png" --- # Now since man is naturally inclined to avoid pain - and… ![“Now since man is naturally inclined to avoid pain - and since labor is pain in itself - it follows that men will resort to plunder whenever plunder is easier than work. History shows this quite clearly. And under these conditions, neither religion nor morality can stop it. When, then, does plunder…” quote by Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dd/frederic-bastiat-2151_conditions_now-since-man-is-naturally-inclined-to-a_2064446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dd/frederic-bastiat-2151_conditions_now-since-man-is-naturally-inclined-to-a_2064446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dd/frederic-bastiat-2151_conditions_now-since-man-is-naturally-inclined-to-a_2064446.png) > “Now since man is naturally inclined to avoid pain - and since labor is pain in itself - it follows that men will resort to plunder whenever plunder is easier than work. History shows this quite clearly. And under these conditions, neither religion nor morality can stop it. When, then, does plunder stop? It stops when it becomes more painful and more dangerous than labor.” [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People avoid painful work, preferring easier plunder; morality and religion cannot stop it unless plunder becomes more costly than labor. **In simple terms:** People choose easy theft over hard work unless it’s riskier. Key Takeaway Make honest work more rewarding than theft. Themes economics morality labor crime human nature Mood analytical critical Type philosophical economic When to use this quote - policy design - education - employment programs - community enforcement - ethical training Key Concepts cost‑benefit analysis social incentives ethical limits Questions to Reflect On - How can societies raise the cost of plunder? - What incentives encourage honest labor? A Different Perspective Economic incentives can be overridden by desperation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Dangerous Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous-labor-3955135/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Does Plunder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/does-plunder-348749/) [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful/) [Plunder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plunder/) [Plunder Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plunder-easier-3955137/) [Resorts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resorts/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Stops Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stops-painful-3955136/) ## Related quotes > [When, then, does plunder stop? 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