--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When under the pretext of fraternity, the…" description: "\"When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code imposes mutual sacrifices on the citizens, human nature is not thereby abrogated. Everyone will th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/frederic-bastiat-2151_calculating_when-under-the-pretext-of-fraternity-the_3090435.jpg" --- # When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code… ![“When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code imposes mutual sacrifices on the citizens, human nature is not thereby abrogated. Everyone will then direct his efforts toward contributing little to, and taking much from, the common fund of sacrifices. Now, is it the most unfortunate who gains…” quote by Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/frederic-bastiat-2151_calculating_when-under-the-pretext-of-fraternity-the_3090435.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/frederic-bastiat-2151_calculating_when-under-the-pretext-of-fraternity-the_3090435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/frederic-bastiat-2151_calculating_when-under-the-pretext-of-fraternity-the_3090435.jpg) > “When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code imposes mutual sacrifices on the citizens, human nature is not thereby abrogated. Everyone will then direct his efforts toward contributing little to, and taking much from, the common fund of sacrifices. Now, is it the most unfortunate who gains from this struggle? Certainly not, but rather the most influential and calculating.” [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. Legal systems claiming to serve fraternity often force citizens into costly exchanges, benefiting the powerful while burdening the many. **In simple terms:** Law can be used to exploit the many for the few. Key Takeaway Beware of hidden costs in collective policies. Themes justice economics politics social contract inequality Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - tax policy - welfare programs - regulatory reforms - public debates Key Concepts public choice collective action problem exploitation Questions to Reflect On - Who truly benefits from collective sacrifices? - How can societies protect the vulnerable? A Different Perspective Assumes all citizens have equal bargaining power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Code](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/code/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Fraternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fraternity/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-struggle/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Sacrifices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifices/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [Experience (has) long taught me the reasonableness of mutual sacrifices of opinion among those who are to act together for any common object, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/experience-has-long-taught-me-the-reasonableness-of-mutual-sacrifices/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Avarice has ruined more men than prodigality, and the blindest thoughtlessness of expenditure has not destroyed so many fortunes as the calculating but insatiable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/avarice-has-ruined-more-men-than-prodigality-and-the-blindest/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [With Browns' ticket prices what they are, you just know that all those dads who brought the entire family to sit in the 'dog…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-miller/with-browns-ticket-prices-what-they-are-you-just-know-that-all-those/) [Dennis Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-miller/) > [Things themselves do not remain, but their effects do. 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