Bill of rights Quote by Howard Zinn
““During elections for the 1776 convention to frame a constitution for Pennsylvania, a Privates Committee urged voters to oppose “great and overgrown rich men . . . they will be too apt to be framing distinctions in society.” The Privates Committee drew up a bill of rights for the convention, including the statement that “an enormous proportion of property vested in a few individuals is dangerous to the rights, and destructive of the common happiness, of mankind; and therefore every free state hath a right by its laws to discourage the possession of such property.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Document: Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1776
The quote warns that concentrated wealth threatens equality and public welfare, urging legal limits on extreme property accumulation.
In simple terms: Too much property in few hands harms society.
Key Takeaway
Support policies limiting extreme wealth.
Themes
wealth inequality
political power
social justice
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- public policy design
- wealth taxation
- community activism
Key Concepts
property rights
democratic theory
economic concentration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance wealth creation with equality?
- What limits on property are justified?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook benefits of wealth-driven investment and innovation.
