--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Practically all government attempts to…" description: "\"“Practically all government attempts to redistribute wealth and income tend to smother productive incentives and lead toward general impoverishment. It..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/henry-hazlitt-2839_free-market_practically-all-government-attempts-to-r_1582721.jpg" --- # Practically all government attempts to redistribute wealth… ![“Practically all government attempts to redistribute wealth and income tend to smother productive incentives and lead toward general impoverishment. It is the proper sphere of government to create and enforce a framework of law that prohibits force and fraud. But it must refrain from specific…” quote by Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/henry-hazlitt-2839_free-market_practically-all-government-attempts-to-r_1582721.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/henry-hazlitt-2839_free-market_practically-all-government-attempts-to-r_1582721.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37f/henry-hazlitt-2839_free-market_practically-all-government-attempts-to-r_1582721.jpg) > ““Practically all government attempts to redistribute wealth and income tend to smother productive incentives and lead toward general impoverishment. It is the proper sphere of government to create and enforce a framework of law that prohibits force and fraud. But it must refrain from specific economic interventions. Government's main economic function is to encourage and preserve a free market. When Alexander the Great visited the philosopher Diogenes and asked whether he could do anything for him, Diogenes is said to have replied: "Yes, stand a little less between me and the sun." It is what every citizen is entitled to ask of his government.”” [Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hazlitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government should limit itself to protecting property rights and enforcing contracts, avoiding direct economic control that stifles productivity. **In simple terms:** Government’s role is law, not wealth redistribution. Key Takeaway Limit government to law and order. Themes freedom property rights government scope economic policy Mood cautious analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - tax policy debates - business regulation - entrepreneurial ventures - social welfare design Key Concepts libertarianism public economics political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What economic functions truly require government oversight? - How can societies balance freedom with social safety nets? A Different Perspective Excessive deregulation can lead to market failures and inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-market/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [Practically all government attempts to redistribute wealth and income tend to smother productive incentives and lead toward general impoverishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hazlitt/practically-all-government-attempts-to-redistribute-wealth-and-income-2/) [Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hazlitt/) > [The government can't create jobs; they'll destroy jobs trying to do it. 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