Charitable Quote by Mencius Moldbug
““Another word for private philanthropy, with different negative connotations, is charity. Charity was of course one of the principal obligations of the medieval ecclesiastical establishment, the other two being education and adult instruction. In consonance with the general 20th-century pattern in which State has captured the role of Church, thus effecting the merger of the two by different means, most of us today perceive charity as a sovereign function. And thus we trivialize any charitable establishment which is fully outside the State, as only the most hard-line of unreconstructed ecclesiasts are today. (Nonprofits in the US today tend to fund themselves via a mix of donations with government grants, contracts, etc.)””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Dark Enlightenment” by Mencius Moldbug, 2008
Charity is seen as a state function, diminishing its independent moral role and linking it to historical church duties.
In simple terms: Charity is now viewed as a government job, not a private good.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and support truly independent charitable work.
Themes
politics
philanthropy
state
history
religion
Mood
critical
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- nonprofit funding
- government grants
- private donations
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
social contract
public vs private sector
historical continuity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can charities maintain independence?
- What are the risks of state‑controlled philanthropy?
A Different Perspective
State involvement can create dependency and reduce accountability.
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