Cruelty Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“I would put primary emphasis on a good standard of living equitably distributed. It can't be equal, but one that eliminates the terrible cruelty of poverty.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Affluent Society, John Kenneth Galbraith, 1958
Advocates a high standard of living for all, stressing that equality isn’t the goal but eradicating poverty is essential.
In simple terms: Aim for prosperity for everyone, not strict equality.
Key Takeaway
Focus on reducing poverty, not achieving identical wealth.
Themes
equality
poverty eradication
social justice
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- public policy design
- community development
- social welfare programs
Key Concepts
Welfare economics
distributional equity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance fairness with individual incentives?
- What policies best reduce extreme poverty?
A Different Perspective
Equal distribution may be unrealistic without compromising incentives.
